D. All approved applications shall be subject
to the applicant's conforming with the following requirements.
1. Conductor Pipe. The use and removal of
conductor pipe during the drilling of any oil or gas well shall be at the
option of the operator. Conductor pipe is that pipe ordinarily used for the
purpose of supporting unconsolidated surface deposits.
2. Surface and Intermediate Casing. All fresh
water sands shall be cased off by the surface or first intermediate casing in
accordance with provisions of Part XIX, Subpart 1.
3. Producing Oil String
a. Producing or oil string is that casing
used for the purpose of segregating the horizon from which production is
obtained and affording a means of communication between such horizon and the
surface.
b. The producing string of
casing shall consist of new or reconditioned casing tested at mill tent
pressure or at 1.25 times the maximum anticipated bottomhole pressure,
whichever is greater. The producing string of casing shall be set at a
sufficient depth to cut off all gas formations above the oil-saturated horizon
in which the well is to be completed. The position of the oil horizon shall be
determined by coring, testing or electrical logging, or other satisfactory
method, and the producing string of casing shall be bottomed and cemented at a
point below the gas/oil contact, if determinable and practicable. The producing
string of casing shall be of sufficient size and completed with the proper
amount of tension so as to allow the running of conventional bottomhole
pressure bombs, temperature survey units and all instruments of similar nature
to the depth of the producing horizon.
c. Cement shall be by the pump and plug
method, or another method approved by the office. Sufficient cement shall be
used to fill the calculated annular space behind the casing to such a point as,
in the opinion of the district manager, local conditions require to protect the
producing formations and all other oil and gas formations occurring above, but
in every case, no less cement shall be used than the calculated amount
necessary to fill the annular space to a point 500 feet above the top producing
zone. The calculated amount of cement required shall be determined by a hole
caliper survey or 1.5 times the theoretical volume required to fill this
annular area.
d. The amount of
cement to be left remaining in the casing, until the requirements of
§2705. D.3.e below have
been met, shall be not less than 20 feet. This shall be accomplished through
the use of a float collar or other approved or practicable means, unless a
full-hole cementer, or its equivalent, is used.
e. Cement shall be allowed to stand a minimum
of 12 hours under pressure and a minimum total of 24 hours before initiating
test or drilling plug in the producing or oil string. Under
pressure is complied with if one or more float valves are employed and
are shown to be holding the cement in place, or when other means of holding
pressure are used. When an operator elects to perforate and squeeze or to
cement around the shoe, he may proceed with such work after 12 hours have
elapsed after placing the first cement.
f. Before drilling the plug in the producing
string of casing in wells drilled to 3,000 feet or less, the casing shall be
tested with a pressure equivalent to 1,500 psi surface pressure applied with
water in the casing, and in wells drilled deeper than 3,000 feet, the casing
shall be tested with a pressure equivalent to 3,000 psi surface pressure
applied with water in the casing. If, at the end of 30 minutes, the pressure
gauge shows a drop of 10 percent of the test pressure or more, the operator
shall be required to take such corrective measures as will insure that the
producing string of casing is so set and cemented that it will hold said
pressure for 30 minutes without a drop of more than 10 percent of the test
pressure on the gauge.
g. If the
commissioner's agent is not present at the time designated by the operator for
inspection of the casing tests of the producing string, the operator shall have
such tests witnessed, preferably by an offset operator. An affidavit of the
test, on the form prescribed by the Office of Conservation, signed by the
operator and witness, shall be furnished to the district office of the Office
of Conservation shown that the test conformed satisfactorily to the above
mentioned regulations before proceeding with the completion. If test is
satisfactory, normal operations may be resumed immediately.
h. If the test is unsatisfactory, the
operator shall not proceed with the completion of the well until a satisfactory
test has been obtained.
i. A
temperature survey shall be run in the producing string prior to perforating if
returns were lost during cementing or unusual circumstances were noted during
the primary cementing operation to assure all interested parties that the
cement has been displaced a sufficient height outside the producing
casing.
j. If a kill string is
recommended by the district manager for the prevention of underground waste and
the operator does not concur, such requirement pertaining to the installation
of a kill string shall be resolved by the conservation commissioner and his
staff after due consideration and review. The conservation commissioner and his
staff shall also determine the minimum setting depth, size, and quality of the
kill string, if required.
k. No
permit to make a tubingless completion in a corrosive or extreme pressure
(gradient in excess of 0.5 psi per foot of depth or surface tubing pressure in
excess of 4,500 psig) field shall be granted unless preventive measures for the
corrosion or extreme pressure problems have been resolved and approved by the
district manager.
