(A) Notification of incidents and sources
lost in other than downhole logging operations shall be made in accordance with
provisions of
105
CMR 120.281 and
120.282
and
120.142.
(B) Whenever a sealed source or device
containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:
(1) Monitor at the surface for the presence
of radioactive contamination with a radiation survey instrument or logging tool
during logging tool recovery operations; and,
(2) Notify the Agency immediately by
telephone and subsequently, within 30 days, by confirmatory letter if the
licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured.
This letter shall identify the well or other location, describe the magnitude
and extent of the escape of radioactive material, assess the consequences of
the rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these
consequences.
(C) When
it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the radioactive source will not be
successful, the licensee shall:
(1) Advise the
well-operator of an appropriate method of abandonment, which shall include:
(a) The immobilization and sealing in place
of the radioactive source with a cement plug;
(b) The setting of a whipstock or other
deflection device; and,
(c) The
mounting of a permanent identification plaque, at the surface of the well,
containing the appropriate information required by 105 CMR
120.954(D);
(2) Notify
the Agency by telephone, giving the circumstances of the loss, and request
approval of the proposed abandonment procedures; and
(3) File a written report with the Agency
within 30 days of the abandonment, setting forth the following information:
(a) Date of occurrence and a brief
description of attempts to recover the source;
(b) A description of the radioactive source
involved, including radionuclide, quantity, and chemical and physical
form;
(c) Surface location and
identification of well;
(d) Results
of efforts to immobilize and set the source in place;
(e) Depth of the radioactive
source;
(f) Depth of the top of the
cement plug;
(g) Depth of the well;
and,
(h) Information contained on
the permanent identification plaque.
(D) Whenever a sealed source containing
radioactive material is abandoned downhole, the licensee shall provide a
permanent plaque for posting the well or well-bore (an example of a suggested
plaque is shown in
105
CMR 120.900: Appendix
120.770(B). This plaque shall:
(1) Be
constructed of long-lasting material, such as stainless steel or monel;
and,
(2) Contain the following
information engraved on its face:
(a) The word
"CAUTION";
(b) The radiation symbol
without the conventional color requirement;
(c) The date of abandonment;
(d) The name of the well operator or well
owner;
(e) The well name and well
identification number(s) or other designation;
(f) The sealed source(s) by radionuclide and
quantity of activity;
(g) The
source depth and the depth to the top of the plug; and,
(h) An appropriate warning, depending on the
specific circumstances of each abandonment. (Appropriate warnings may include:
(A) "Do not drill below plug back depth";
(B) "Do not enlarge casing"; or
(C) "Do not re-enter the hole",
followed by the words, "before contacting the Massachusetts Radiation Control
Program".)
(E) The licensee shall immediately notify the
Agency by telephone 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 aquifer. Such notice shall designate the well location,
describe the magnitude and extent of loss of radioactive material, the
consequences of such loss, and explain efforts planned or being taken to
mitigate these consequences.
