North Dakota Administrative Code
Title 43 - Industrial Commission
Article 43-02 - Mineral Exploration and Development
Chapter 43-02-02.2 - In Situ Leach Mining Rules
Section 43-02-02.2-30 - Mechanical integrity
Universal Citation: ND Admin Code ยง 43-02-02.2-30
Current through Supplement No. 392, April, 2024
1. Injection and production wells must maintain mechanical integrity until the wells are plugged under the approved plugging and abandonment plan.
2. Before putting a new injection well into service, its mechanical integrity must be tested. A schedule and methods for mechanical integrity testing must be included in the permit, and are permit conditions. The schedule and methods must meet the following requirements:
a. One of the following methods must be used
to evaluate the absence of significant leaks in the casing, tubing, or packer:
(1) Following an initial pressure test, the
tubing casing annulus pressure must be monitored with sufficient frequency to
be representative, as determined by the department, while maintaining an
annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface;
(2) Pressure test with liquid or
gas; or
(3) An alternative method
if specified in the permit or is approved by the department through a technical
revision.
b. The
absence of significant fluid movement into any unauthorized zone through
vertical channels adjacent to the injection bore must be shown by the results
of a temperature, neutron, or noise log, e.g., cement bond log. If the nature
of the casing precludes using a log, then sealing records may be used to prove
that the sealing material will prevent significant fluid movement. If sealing
records are used, the monitoring program must be designed to verify the absence
of significant fluid movement.
c.
Mechanical integrity of each injection well that has not been plugged or
converted must be demonstrated at least once every five years or on a schedule
determined by the department.
d.
Before resuming injection into any injection well that has been damaged by
surface or subsurface activity or that has undergone an activity that may
jeopardize its mechanical integrity, such as the use of downhole cutting and
under reaming tools, the operator must demonstrate the well's mechanical
integrity.
e. If the department
determines that an injection well lacks mechanical integrity, it must give
written notice of this determination to the well's operator. Unless the
department requires immediate cessation, the operator shall cease injection
into the well within forty-eight hours upon receipt of the notice. The
department will either require the plugging of the well or require the operator
to perform such work as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into
unauthorized zones. Well repair or plugging must be completed within one
hundred twenty days upon receipt of the notice. If the well is repaired rather
than plugged, retesting of the well must be completed within one hundred twenty
days after the repair is completed. The operator may resume injection upon the
department's written approval.
f.
Results of mechanical integrity testing must be reported under the requirements
of section
43-02-02.2-55.
General Authority: NDCC 38-12-02
Law Implemented: NDCC 38-12-02
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. North Dakota 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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