California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 2 - Department of Conservation
Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources
Subchapter 2 - Environmental Protection
Article 3 - Requirements
Section 1772.5 - Requirements for Active Observation Wells

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 1772.5

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Within 6 months of a well becoming an active observation well, the operator shall conduct a casing pressure test in accordance with the parameters specified in Section 1772.1.1, unless such testing has been conducted on the well in the past five years. The casing shall be tested from the surface to a depth that is 100 feet measured feet above the uppermost perforation, immediately above the casing shoe of the deepest cemented casing, or immediately above the top of the landed liner, whichever is highest. If the top of the landed liner is 100 feet or more above the cemented casing shoe, then the pressure test shall be to a depth specified by the Division on a case-by-case basis. The operator shall repeat this testing at least once every 60 months while the well is an observation well.

(b) In addition to any other penalty or remedial requirement imposed by the Division, within 12 months of failing to successfully complete testing under this section the operator shall do one of the following:

(1) Bring the well into compliance;

(2) Partially plug and abandon the well in accordance with Section 1752;

(3) Plug and abandon the well in accordance with Public Resources Code section 3208; or

(4) Schedule the well for plugging and abandonment under an approved Idle Well Management Plan or an approved Testing Waiver Plan.

(c) For wells approved as active observation wells as of April 1, 2019, the operator shall conduct initial testing as described under this section on at least half of them by April 1, 2021, and conduct such testing on all of them by April 1, 2023.

1. New section filed 3-20-2019; operative 4-1-2019 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2019, No. 12).

Note: Authority cited: Section 3013, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3008, 3106, 3224 and 3237 Public Resources Code.

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