Illinois Administrative Code
Title 62 - MINING
Part 245 - HYDRAULIC FRACTURING REGULATORY ACT
Subpart J - PLUGGING AND RESTORATION
Section 245.1010 - Plugging Previously Abandoned Unplugged or Insufficiently Plugged Wells
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) The permittee shall plug any abandoned unplugged, or insufficiently plugged, well bores within 750 feet of any part of the horizontal well bore that penetrated within 400 vertical feet of the geologic formation that will be stimulated as part of the permittee's proposed high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations (Section 1-95 of the Act). In determining whether a well has been sufficiently plugged, the Department will consider, but is not limited to, well completion reports, cementing records, well construction records, cement bond logs, tracer surveys, oxygen activation logs and plugging records. The permittee shall complete this plugging before the permittee conducts any HVHHF operations.
b) This pre-HVHHF operations plugging obligation shall be performed in accordance with 62 Ill. Adm. Code 240.1110.
c) If the permittee is unable to locate an abandoned unplugged well or insufficiently plugged well identified by the Department for plugging before HVHHF operations begin, the permittee may receive a waiver of the plugging requirement from the Department after demonstrating a diligent effort to locate the abandoned unplugged well or insufficiently plugged well in the field.
d) Before proceeding with any HVHHF operations, the permittee shall receive written approval from the Department that all wells under the permit within 750 feet of any part of the horizontal well bore that appear to penetrate within 400 vertical feet of the formation that the permittee intends to stimulate have been plugged, or that the plugging requirements have been met.
e) If, during or after performing HVHHF operations, there is any evidence of fluids leaking at the surface from abandoned wells, unpermitted wells, or previously plugged wells within 750 feet of any part of the horizontal well bore:
f) If, during or after performing HVHHF operations, there is any evidence of damage from the permittee's HVHHF operations to a producing well within 750 feet of any part of the horizontal well bore, the permittee shall be responsible for all repairs to the well construction or the costs of plugging the damaged well.