Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. The division shall consider proposals from
an operator for downhole disposal of regulated NORM in wells that are to be
plugged and abandoned, provided the operator performs the plugging and
abandonment procedures in a manner that protects the environment, public health
and fresh waters and in accordance with division rules pertaining to well
plugging and abandonment.
B. The
applicant shall complete form C-103 and submit it to the division for approval.
(1) In addition to all other information
required for C-103 submittal, the form shall specifically state that the
applicant will place regulated NORM in the well bore. The abandonment procedure
contained in the application shall identify depths at which the operator will
place regulated NORM, radiation survey results conducted on the regulated NORM
to be disposed, the procedure the operator will use to place the regulated NORM
in the well bore and the specific form of regulated NORM the operator will
place in the well bore (e.g. scale, pipe, dirt,
etc.).
(2) The applicant shall
address abnormally pressured zones in the well bore that might result in
migration of the regulated NORM after it has been placed in the plugged and
abandoned well in the application.
(3) The applicant shall send notice of the
submittal of an application to dispose of regulated NORM in a plugged and
abandoned well to the surface owner and the mineral lessor. The director may
require additional notification as described in 19.15.35.14 NMAC.
C. The operator shall not commence
work until the division has approved the application for regulated NORM
disposal in a plugged and abandoned well.
D. The operator shall comply with the
following requirements when disposing of the regulated NORM in a plugged and
abandoned well.
(1) The operator shall follow
plugging and abandonment procedures the division routinely requires unless the
procedures are specifically superseded at the division's instruction to
facilitate the regulated NORM disposal.
(2) The operator shall color-dye the cement
plug located directly above the regulated NORM and the surface plug with red
iron oxide.
(3) The operator shall
dispose of regulated NORM at a depth of at least 100 feet below the lower most
known underground source of drinking water zone. There must be evidence that
there is cement across the known underground source of drinking water
zones.
