Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024
a.
Assessment and Monitoring of Plugged and Abandoned Wells Within 1/4 mile
of Proposed Coalbed Methane Well.
(1)
Based upon examination of Commission and other publicly available records,
Operators will identify all Plugged and Abandoned Wells located within 1/4 mile
of a proposed coalbed methane ("CBM") Well. The Operator will assess the risk
of leaking gas or water to the ground surface or into subsurface water
resources, taking into account plugging and cementing procedures described in
any recompletion or Plug and Abandonment report filed with the Commission. The
Operator will notify the Director of the results of the assessment of the
plugging and cementing procedures. The Director will review the assessment and
take appropriate action to pursue further investigation and Remediation if
warranted and pursuant to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation and
Environmental Response Fund.
(2)
Operators will conduct a soil gas survey at all Plugged and Abandoned Wells
located within 1/4 mile of a proposed CBM Well prior to production from the
proposed CBM Well and again 1 year and thereafter every 3 years after
production has commenced. Operators will submit the results of the soil gas
survey to the Director within 3 months of conducting the survey.
b.
Coal Outcrop and Coal
Mine Monitoring.
(1) If the CBM Well is
within 2 miles of the outcrop of the stratigraphic contact between the
coal-bearing formation and the underlying formation, or within 2 miles of an
active, inactive, or abandoned coal mine, then prior to drilling the CBM Well,
the Operator will determine whether there are gas seeps, springs, or water
seeps that discharge from the coal-bearing formation in the area by:
A. Making a good faith effort to obtain the
access necessary to survey the outcrop or mine;
B. Reviewing publicly available geologic and
hydrogeologic data; and
C.
Interviewing the Surface Owner(s).
(2) If a gas seep is identified during the
survey, then the Operator will survey its location and areal extent pursuant to
Rule 216, and determine the concentration of the soil gas. If possible, the
Operator will collect a sample of gas from the seep for compositional analysis
and stable isotope analysis of the gas pursuant to 615.e.(4). Thereafter, the
Operator will inspect the gas seep, survey its areal extent, and measure soil
gas concentrations annually, if access can be obtained. Within 3 months of its
completion of the field work, the Operator will submit the results of the
outcrop or mine monitoring to the Director in an electronic data deliverable
format via a Form 43, Analytical Sample Submittal and, if necessary, via a Form
4. The Operator will concurrently provide the same information to the Surface
Owner.
(3) If a spring or water
seep is identified during the survey, then the Operator will survey its
location and areal extent pursuant to Rule 216, measure the flow rate,
photograph the feature, and collect and analyze a water sample pursuant to Rule
615.e. Thereafter, the Operator will inspect the spring or water seep, survey
its areal extent, and measure its flow rate annually, if access can be
obtained. Within 3 months of its completion of the field work, the Operator
will submit the results of the outcrop or mine monitoring to the Director in an
electronic data deliverable format via a Form 43 and, if necessary, via a Form
4. The Operator will concurrently provide the same information to the Surface
Owner.
(4) If a gas seep is
identified during the survey, the Director will advise the Surface Owner(s),
Relevant Local Government, Colorado Geological Survey ("CGS"), and the Colorado
Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety ("DRMS"), as appropriate, of the
findings. In collaboration with state, local, and private interests, the CGS,
DRMS, and the Commission may elect to develop a Geologic Hazard survey and
determine whether the area should be recommended to be designated as a Geologic
Hazard pursuant to §
24-65.1-103, C.R.S.
c.
Prior to Producing -
Static Bottom-Hole Pressure Survey. Prior to producing the Well, the
Operator will obtain a static bottom-hole pressure test on at least the first
Well drilled on a government quarter section. The survey will be conducted by
either a direct static bottom-hole pressure measurement or by a static Fluid
level measurement. The data acquired by the Operator and a description of the
procedures used to gather the data will be reported on a Form 13, Bottom Hole
Pressure, and submitted with the Form 5A, Completed Interval Report, filed with
the Director. After reviewing the quality of the static bottom-hole pressure
data and the adequacy of the geographic distribution of the data, or at the
request of the Operator, the Director may vary the number of Wells subject to
the static bottom-hole pressure survey requirement. If an application for
increased Well density or down spacing is filed with the Commission, then
additional testing may be required.
d.
CBM Monitoring. If a
conventional gas Well or Plugged and Abandoned Well exists within 1/4 mile of a
proposed CBM Well, then in addition to the water sources described in Rule
615.b, the 2 closest water wells within a 1/2 mile radius of the conventional
gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well will be sampled pursuant to Rules
615.c-f.
(1) If possible, the water wells
selected should be on opposite sides of the conventional gas Well or the
Plugged and Abandoned Well not exceeding a 1/2 mile radius. If water wells on
opposite sides of the conventional gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well
cannot be identified, then the 2 closest wells within a 1/2 mile radius of the
conventional gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well will be
sampled.
(2) If 2 or more
conventional Wells or Plugged and Abandoned Wells are located within 1/4 mile
of the proposed CBM Well, then the conventional Well or the Plugged and
Abandoned Well closest to a proposed CBM Well will be used for selecting water
wells for sampling.
(3) If there
are no conventional gas Wells or Plugged and Abandoned Wells located within a
1/4 mile radius of the proposed CBM Well this Rule 614.d will not
apply.
e.
Bradenhead Testing. An Operator of a CBM Well will comply with
Rule 419, except as modified by this Rule 614.e. The appropriate regulatory
agency will determine remedial requirements. The bradenhead testing requirement
will not apply if the Operator demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Director
annular cement coverage greater than 50 feet above the base of surface casing
and zonal isolation is confirmed by reliable evidence such as a cement bond log
or cementing ticket indicating that the height of cement coverage is 50 feet
above the base of the surface casing, and zonal isolation is confirmed by two
consecutive bradenhead tests that the Operator conducts at least 12 months
apart. Before beginning a bradenhead test, the Operator will shut-in the
bradenhead annulus for a minimum shut-in period of 7 days.
