Ohio Administrative Code
Title 1501:9 - Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas
Chapter 1501:9-3 - Saltwater Operation
Section 1501:9-3-08 - Annular disposal

(1) On and after the effective date of this rule, the chief will not authorize the disposal of brine in any annular space.

(2) If the chief approved annular disposal of brine prior to the effective date of this rule, the annular disposal well owner may continue to dispose brine in the already-approved annular space in accordance with paragraphs (B) to (F) of this rule unless any of the following apply:

(3) The chief will rescind approval for annular disposal when the owner fails to conduct annular disposal operations in accordance with Chapter 1509. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted thereunder.

(1) An annular disposal well has mechanical integrity if:

(2) A well owner authorized to dispose brine by annular disposal shall demonstrate mechanical integrity through the use of a positive displacement test for each annular disposal well at least once every five years.

A person may only dispose of one thousand eight hundred twenty-five barrels or less of brine per year in an annular disposal well.

(1) A person who owns a well for annular disposal or the associated surface operations for an annular disposal well shall not cause or reasonably be anticipated to cause contamination of land, surface water, or ground water.

(2) If mechanical failures or downhole problems cause or could reasonably be anticipated to cause contamination of surface or subsurface soils or waters, the annular disposal well owner shall immediately cease all annular disposal operations and immediately notify the appropriate inspector within twenty-four hours, submit to the chief a written report which includes a detailed description of the incident, the actions taken to correct the situation, and the results of such action.

(3) The connection between the brine pipeline and the annulus of the annular disposal well shall be visible and accessible for inspection by the division and all pipelines, valves, and fittings from a brine storage tank or a well to the annulus of the annular disposal well shall be liquid tight.

(4) Annualar disposal may only be used if a flow meter or other quantitative monitoring method is installed.

(5) No pressure, except that created by hydrostatic pressure, shall be applied to brine disposed of into an annular space.

(6) Brine may only be conveyed to an annular disposal well by a pipeline.

(7) Only brine resulting, obtained, or produced in connection with oil or gas production on the same lease or on adjacent leases, may be disposed of into an annular disposal well.

(8) The owner shall immediately notify the chief in writing upon abandonment of annular disposal operations. Once annular disposal operations are abandoned, they cannot be resumed.

(9) When an annular disposal well becomes incapable of producing oil or gas, all annular disposal operations shall cease and the well plugged and abandoned in accordance with Chapter 1509. of the Revised Code and any rules adopted thereunder.

(1) A person who owns a well for annular disposal shall keep an accurate record of the volume of brine disposed and a copy of such record furnished to the chief upon request. The owner shall file an annual report with the chief, on or before the fifteenth day of April, setting forth the total volume of brine disposed of during the preceding calendar year and if applicable, a description of any mechanical failures, the actions taken to correct the situation, and the results of such actions as described in paragraph (D)(2) of this rule.

(2) The owner shall retain mechanical integrity test data and monitoring records for a period of not less than five years.