Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 632 - DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES
Division 20 - GEOTHERMAL REGULATIONS
Section 632-020-0125 - Proper Completion, Plugging, and Decommissioning
Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024
(1) A well is properly completed when the well and casing has been installed in accordance with the well drilling permit and master valves and well control equipment have been installed, and well is secured.
(2) Proper completion and decommissioning requires adequate protection of the environment and of aesthetic qualities of the surface in the area of operation.
(3) A geothermal well or prospect well is considered properly plugged and decommissioned, for the purpose of this chapter, when the conditions of ORS 522.005 to 522.990 and these rules are fulfilled and the person has shown to the satisfaction of the department that all proper steps have been taken to protect groundwater and surface water from contamination resulting from the drilling or drilling related activities and to prevent the comingling of fluids between zones or to surface.
(4) A well or hole must be plugged and all related disturbance must be reclaimed in accordance with these rules as soon as practical. A hole may not be left unplugged for longer than 30 days from the completion of operations without prior written approval from the department.
(5) The drilling or operation of a well can be suspended only as provided in ORS 522.215.
(6) Plugging Methods and Procedure, Geothermal Wells or Prospect Wells.
(7) The operator must provide sumps of adequate capacity and design to retain all fluid material during drilling and other operations.
(8) The affected surface lands must be restored to a pre-exploration and/or beneficial use acceptable to the department, after consultation with the surface owner. Reclamation activities may include, but are not limited to replanting or reseeding of affected land for return to secondary beneficial use that is compatible with the land-use designation.
(9) Affidavit on completion: Within 45 days after a Geothermal Well or Prospect well is plugged, the operator must file a written statement with the department certifying that the well was properly plugged and decommissioned.
(10) Wells Used for Fresh Water:
Stat. Auth.: ORS 522
Stats. Implemented: ORS 522.175, 522.305 & 522.245