Code of Colorado Regulations
400 - Department of Natural Resources
404 - Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
2 CCR 404-1 - PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Section 1314 - GEOTHERMAL SAFETY AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS

Universal Citation: 2 CO Code Regs 404-1 ยง 1314

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

a. Inspection and Maintenance. Deep Geothermal Operators will regularly inspect Deep Geothermal Locations and Facilities. All Deep Geothermal Wells, equipment, and Facilities utilized in the development of Geothermal Resources, will be maintained in good condition to prevent loss of Geothermal Resources, and to protect public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources. Deep Geothermal Operators will promptly investigate, and if appropriate, repair, replace, or remediate any malfunctioning equipment or process. If a Deep Geothermal Operator takes action to address any malfunctioning equipment or process identified during an inspection, the Deep Geothermal Operator will maintain documentation of the action taken, and provide it to the Director upon request. The Deep Geothermal Operator will submit documentation of the results of all Deep Geothermal Facility inspections to the Director upon request.

b. Corrosion.

(1) The Operator will check the condition of the casing on any Geothermal Well with a pipe analysis log in conjunction with any other logging requirements of Rule 408.r.

(2) On a Form 4, Sundry Notice, Operators will provide a corrosion risk assessment that includes prevention measures to minimize internal and external corrosion within one year of a new Geothermal Well commencing production, or a Geothermal Injection Well commencing injection, and then at least once every five (5) years thereafter.

(3) The corrosion risk assessment shall include consideration of at least the following:
A. Evaluation of casing and tubing integrity and identification of defects caused by corrosion or other chemical or mechanical damage;

B. Corrosion potential of Geothermal Fluids and solids, including the impact of operating pressures, temperatures, and compositions on the corrosion potential of Geothermal Fluids; and

C. Corrosion potential of uncemented casing.

c. General Safety Requirements. Operators will operate and maintain all Deep Geothermal Facilities in a safe manner. Operators will train their employees in the safe conduct of all job responsibilities, including safe operation and location of all equipment. An Operator will ensure that all contractors, subcontractors, and persons directly under the Operator's control on a Deep Geothermal Location or at a Deep Geothermal Facility receive adequate training and are aware of the hazards presented by the Operator's Deep Geothermal Operations.

d. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rule 602.

e. Operational and Safety Requirements. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rules 603.a-c, 603.f, 603.h-j, and 603.l-o.

f. Setbacks and Siting Requirements. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rules 605.a-e, 605.g-h, 606, 607, 608.c, 608.e-g.

(1) At the time the Deep Geothermal Well is drilled, the Well will be located not less than 200 feet from Building Units, public roads, above ground utility lines, or railroads, unless the applicant can justify such placement with technical testimony at hearing or in the application, and the applicant includes informed consent from all Building Unit owner(s) and tenant(s) explicitly agreeing to the proposed Deep Geothermal Well.

(2) No Geothermal Pad Surface will be located less than 500 feet from one or more Building Units not subject to a Surface Use Agreement or waiver, unless the Deep Geothermal Operator can justify such placement with technical testimony at hearing or in the application, and the applicant includes informed consent from all Building Unit owner(s) and tenant(s) explicitly agreeing to the proposed Geothermal Pad Surface.

g. Fire Prevention And Protection. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rules 610.a-h, 610.j, 610.l-r.

h. Air And Gas Drilling. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rule 611.

i. Hydrogen Sulfide Gas. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rules 612.

j. Groundwater Baseline Sampling And Monitoring. Deep Geothermal Operators will comply with Rule 615.

k. Those 1100-Series Rules applicable to Flowlines are also applicable to Geothermal Flowlines.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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