Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) The plugging of a well shall be conducted
in accordance with the following sequence of operations:
(1) The well bore, whether to remain cased or
uncased, shall be filled with cement from total depth to at least 15 feet above
the top of the shallowest formation from which the production of oil or gas has
ever been obtained in the vicinity. Alternatively, a bridge topped with at
least 15 feet of cement shall be placed immediately above each formation from
which the production of oil or gas has ever been obtained in the
vicinity.
(2) If any casing is to
be left in the ground, a cement plug of at least 15 feet in length shall be
placed at the bottom of such section of casing. A similar plug shall be placed
at the top of such section of casing unless it shall extend to the surface. In
the latter event, the casing shall be capped in any such manner as will prevent
the migration of fluids and not interfere with normal soil
cultivation.
(3) If casing
extending below the deepest potable fresh water level shall not remain in the
ground, a cement plug of at least 15 feet in length shall be placed in the open
hole at a position approximately 50 feet below the deepest potable fresh water
level.
(4) If the conductor or
surface casing is drawn, a cement plug of at least 15 feet in length shall be
placed immediately below the point where the lower end of the conductor or
surface casing shall previously have rested. The hole thereabove then shall be
filled with cement, sand or rock sediment or other suitable material in such a
manner as will prevent erosion of the well bore area and not interfere with
normal soil cultivation.
(5) The
interval between all plugs mentioned in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this
subdivision shall be filled with a heavy mud-laden or other approved
fluid.
(6) The operator shall have
the option as to the method of placing any cement in the hole by either (i)
dump bailer, (ii) pumping or siphoning through tubing or drill pipe, (iii) pump
and plug, or (iv) such other method as shall be approved by the
department.
(b) In the
event mechanical or other unusual conditions in the well are such as to make
plugging following the sequence outlined in subdivision (a) of this section
impractical, the owner or operator may be granted permission by the department
to use some alternative or equivalent plugging procedure.
(c) As a part of the plugging and abandonment
operation, the owner or operator shall fill with earth any pit or other
excavation, including any rat hole or mouse hole, which has been created to
facilitate the drilling or production of the well. In addition, a reasonable
effort to smooth the surface adjacent to the well and filled pit or excavation
so as to place the surface in a condition similar to the adjacent terrain and
without undue elevation shall be made. If it can be demonstrated to the
satisfaction of the department that no hazard will result and the landowner has
signed an appropriate release, these surface restoration requirements will be
waived.
(d) Within 30 days after
the plugging of any well, a plugging report on form OG13 shall be filed with
the department by the owner or operator or person responsible for the plugging
operation.
