Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 785 - Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Chapter 35 - Well Driller and Pump Installer Licensing
Subchapter 7 - Minimum Standards for Construction of Wells
Section 785:35-7-3 - Minimum standards for construction of marginal water wells

(1) Intent to drill application and fee required.

(2) Marginal water well construction without permit.

(1) Longevity of casing. The well driller must provide information that supports the longevity of the selected casing in response to potentially corrosive salt concentrations.

(2) Annular seals to prevent the contamination of fresh water. The annular space between the casing and borehole shall be sealed to prevent the commingling of fresh water with marginal water by using enough cement under pressure to completely fill and seal the annular space between the casing and borehole. Unless an alternate casing and/or cementing procedure is authorized by the Board, the well casing shall be cemented in this manner from 50 feet below the deepest fresh groundwater zone or aquifer encountered while drilling to land surface or immediately below the junction of the pitless adapter.

(3) Well schematic. The marginal water well intent to drill application must provide well schematic illustrating proposed construction depths, dimensions, materials, and methods as well as the target aquifer, stratigraphy and hydrogeology to be encountered during drilling.

(4) Sealing off formations. Cement must be allowed to set a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours before well drilling is resumed. Shorter set times may be requested if approved alternate sealants or accelerants are used. If shorter set times are requested, documentation shall be provided in the marginal water well intent to drill application substantiating the appropriate cement curing time to meet the compressive strengths necessary, consistent with anticipated shut-in pressures. Shorter set times shall not be permitted unless prior approval is granted by the Board. Sealing off of the formations shall be checked by a method acceptable to the Board.

(5) Cementing service reports. The well driller shall provide any cementing service reports with the submission of the well log within 30 days of completion. The Board may require preliminary information as it becomes available.

(6) Cement bond logging. The well driller shall provide any cement bond logging results created on each well with the submission of the well log within thirty (30) days of completion. The Board may require results of cement bond logging within twenty-four (24) hours of completion.

(7) Mud logging and Geophysical logging. The well driller shall provide any mud logging and geophysical logging reports created on each well with the submission of the well log within thirty (30) days of completion. The Board may require results of geophysical logging within twenty-four (24) hours of completion. The Board may require periodic mud logging or lithologic logging during the course of the project.

(8) Deleterious substances. The well driller shall contain, dispose of, or remove any deleterious substances from marginal water well activities according to the state's waste management standards.

(9) Alternate designs. In the event that an alternate design is required, the well driller shall submit written notification to the Board. The Board may approve or deny the alternate design within 48 hours provided it is demonstrated that the proposed construction will prevent comingling of fresh, marginal, and/or salt water.