Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Notification shall be made of radiation
incidents and radioactive sources lost in other than downhole logging
operations in accordance with appropriate provisions of Part III.
(2) Whenever a sealed source or device
containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:
(a) Monitor at the surface for the presence
of radioactive contamination with a radiation survey instrument or logging tool
during logging tool recovery operations; and,
(b) Notify the Department immediately by
telephone or telegraph if radioactive contamination is detected at the surface
or if the source appears to be damaged.
(3) When it becomes apparent that efforts to
recover the radioactive source will not be successful, the licensee shall:
(a) Advise the well-operator and the
Department of an appropriate method of abandonment, which shall include:
1. The immobilization and sealing in place of
the radioactive source with a cement plug,
2. The setting of a whipstock or other
deflection device; and,
3. The
mounting of a permanent identification plaque, at the surface of the well,
containing the appropriate information required by this
section.
(b) Notify the
Department by telephone of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to
retrieve the source and obtain the Department's approval to implement
abandonment procedures or notify the Department that the licensee implemented
abandonment before receiving Department approval because the licensee believed
there was an immediate threat to public health and safety; and,
(c) File a written report with the Department
within 30 days of the abandonment, setting forth the following information:
1. Date of occurrence and a brief description
of attempts to recover the source,
2. A description of the radioactive source
involved, including radionuclide, quantity and chemical and physical form,
3. Surface location and
identification of well,
4. Results
of efforts to immobilize and set the source in place,
5. Depth of the lodged radioactive source,
6. Depth of the top of the cement
plug,
7. Depth of the well,
8. Information contained on the
permanent identification plaque,
9.
The immediate threat to public health and safety that justified abandonment
before Department approval as specified in paragraph (3)(b), above;
and,
(d) Develop and
implement a means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source unless the
source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling
operations.
(4) Whenever
a sealed source containing radioactive material is abandoned downhole, the
licensee shall provide a permanent plaque, as described below, for posting the
well or well-bore at the surface of the well unless the mounting of the plaque
is not practical. The size of the plaque shall be at least 7 inches (17 cm)
square and 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. This plaque shall:
(a) Be constructed of long-lasting material,
such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or monel; and,
(b) Contain the following information
engraved on its face:
1. The word
"CAUTION",
2. The radiation symbol
without the conventional color requirement,
3. The date of abandonment,
4. The name of the well operator or well
owner,
5. The well name and well
identification numbers or other designation,
6. The sealed sources by radionuclide and
quantity of activity,
7. The source
depth and the depth to the top of the plug; and,
8. An appropriate warning, depending on the
specific circumstances of each abandonment which may include:
a. "Do not drill below plug-back depth",
b. "Do not enlarge casing",
or
c. "Do not reenter the hole, "
followed by the words, "before contacting the Department of
Health."
(5) The licensee shall immediately notify the
Department by telephone or telegraph, and subsequently by confirming letter, if
the licensee knows or has reason to believe that radioactive material has been
lost in or to an underground potable water source. Such notice shall designate
the well location and shall describe the magnitude and extent of loss of
radioactive material, assess the consequences of such loss and explain efforts
planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.
Rulemaking Authority 404.051, 404.061, 404.081 FS. Law
Implemented 404.022, 404.051(1), (4), (6), 404.061(2), 404.081(1)
FS.
New 7-17-85, Formerly 10D-91.1220, Amended
9-28-06.
