Nevada Administrative Code
Chapter 534B - DISSOLVED MINERAL RESOURCES
PERMITS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLING
Exploration Wells
Section 534B.180 - Plugging: Requirements; casing strings to be cut off and capped; restoration of land; submission of alternative plugging plan to Division; filing and posting of plugging report

Universal Citation: NV Admin Code 534B.180

Current through December 31, 2024

1. A dissolved mineral resource exploration well must be plugged by a well driller before the expiration of the permit, unless a waiver or permit is issued by the State Engineer to change the status of the dissolved mineral resource exploration well, by:

(a) Placing neat cement, cement grout or bentonite grout by tremie pipe in an upward direction from the bottom of the well to 100 feet above the uppermost perforated casing or to the surface of the dissolved mineral resource exploration well.

(b) Removing the pump and any debris from the well bore with appropriate equipment.

2. Cement plugs must:

(a) Be placed in the uncased portion of all dissolved mineral resource exploration wells to protect all subsurface resources.

(b) Extend a minimum of 100 lineal feet above the producing formations and 100 lineal feet below the producing formations or to the total depth drilled, whichever is less.

(c) Be placed to isolate formations and to protect the fluids in those formations from interzonal migration.

3. A well driller may use uncontaminated fill from the top of the plug installed in accordance with subsection 1 to within 20 feet of the surface of the dissolved mineral resource exploration well. The well driller shall place a surface plug in the dissolved mineral resource exploration well consisting of neat cement, cement grout or concrete grout from a depth of at least 20 feet to the surface of the dissolved mineral resource exploration well.

4. All casing strings must be cut off below ground level and the casing stub must be permanently capped.

5. The surface of the land must be restored as near as practicable to its original condition.

6. If conditions are encountered which prevent compliance with this section, the operator or well driller must submit an alternative plugging plan to the Division for the approval of the Division.

7. The operator or well driller shall file a plugging report with the Division on a form designated by the Division and available on the Internet website of the Division. The report must be signed by the well driller documenting proper plugging of the dissolved mineral resource exploration well not later than 30 days after completion of the work.

8. The owner and lessor of the land on which the dissolved mineral resource exploration well is located, the operator and the well driller are jointly and severally responsible for plugging the dissolved mineral resource exploration well pursuant to this chapter.

9. As soon as practicable after the filing of a plugging report pursuant to subsection 7, the Division shall post the plugging report on the Internet website of the Division.

Added to NAC by Comm'n on Mineral Resources by R109-17AP, eff. 5/16/2018

Section 20 of Assembly Bill No. 52, chapter 507, Statutes of Nevada 2017, at page 3414 (NRS 534B.120)

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Nevada may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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