New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 3 - RADIATION PROTECTION
Part 12 - LICENSES AND RADIATION SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR WELL LOGGING
Section 20.3.12.10 - RETRIEVAL OR ABANDONMENT OF SEALED SOURCES
Universal Citation: 20 NM Admin Code 20.3.12.10
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024
A. Agreement with well owner or operator.
(1) A licensee may perform well logging with
a sealed source only after the licensee has a written agreement with the
employing well owner or operator. This written agreement shall identify who
will meet the requirements of Subsections B and C of this section and who will
meet the following requirements:
(a) the
radiation monitoring requirements of Subsection A of 20.3.12.15 NMAC shall be
performed; and
(b) if the
environment, any equipment or personnel are contaminated with licensed
material, they shall be decontaminated before release from the site or release
for unrestricted use.
(2) Recordkeeping. The licensee shall retain
a copy of the written agreement for 3 years after the completion of the well
logging operation.
(3) A written
agreement between the licensee and the well owner or operator is not required
if the licensee and the well owner or operator are part of the same corporate
structure or otherwise similarly affiliated. However, the licensee shall still
otherwise meet the requirements of Subsections B and C of this
section.
B. Retrieval of lodged sealed sources.
(1) If a sealed source
becomes lodged in the well, a reasonable effort shall be made to recover
it.
(2) A person may not attempt to
recover a sealed source in a manner which, in the licensee's opinion, could
result in its rupture.
C. Irretrievable sealed sources. If the sealed source is classified as irretrievable after reasonable efforts at recovery have been expended, the licensee shall implement the requirements of this subsection within 30 days.
(1) Each
irretrievable well logging source shall be immobilized and sealed in place with
a cement plug.
(2) The licensee
shall implement means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source, unless
the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations.
(3) The licensee shall install a permanent
identification plaque, constructed of long lasting material such as stainless
steel, brass, bronze or monel, shall be mounted at the surface of the well,
unless the mounting of the plaque is not practical. The size of the plaque
shall be at least 17 centimeters (7 inches) square and 3 millimeters (1/8 inch)
thick. The plaque shall contain:
(a) the word
"caution";
(b) the radiation symbol
(the color requirement in Subsection A of 20.3.4.427 NMAC need not be
met);
(c) the date the source was
abandoned;
(d) the name of the well
owner or well operator, as appropriate;
(e) the well name and well identification
number(s) or other designation;
(f)
an identification of the sealed source(s) by radionuclide and
quantity;
(g) the depth of the
source and depth to the top of the plug; and
(h) an appropriate warning, such as, "do not
re-enter this well."
D. A licensee may apply, pursuant to Subsection A of 20.3.1.107 NMAC, for department approval, on a case-by-case basis, of proposed procedures to abandon an irretrievable well logging source in a manner not otherwise authorized in this subsection.
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