South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-87 - UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL REGULATIONS
Subchapter 61-87.14 - Criteria and Standards for Class II, III, IV(2)(a) and V.A. Wells

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-87.14

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

A. All Class II and III wells shall be sited in such a fashion that they inject into a formation which is separated from any Underground Sources of Drinking Water by a confining zone that is free of known open faults or fractures, or other geological discontinuities within the area of review.

B. All Class II and III injection wells shall be cased and cemented to prevent movement of fluids into or between underground sources of drinking water. The casing and cement used in the construction of each newly drilled well shall be designed for the life expectancy of the well.

(1) In determining and specifying casing and cementing requirements, the following factors shall be considered:
(a) Depth to the injection zone;

(b) Depth to the bottom of all Underground Sources of Drinking Waters; and,

(c) Estimated maximum and average injection pressures.

(2) In addition, the Department may consider information on:
(a) Corrosiveness of injected fluids and the physical and chemical characteristics of formation fluids;

(b) Lithology of injection and confining zones;

(c) External pressure, internal pressure, and axial loading;

(d) Hole size; (depth, diameter)

(e) Size and grade of all casing strings; and,

(f) Type and grade of cement and additives.

C. Appropriate logs and other tests shall be conducted during drilling and construction. A descriptive report interpreting the results of that portion of those logs and tests which specifically relate to an Underground Source of Drinking Water and the confining zone adjacent to it, and the injection and adjacent formations shall be prepared by a knowledgeable log analyst and submitted to the Department. At a minimum, these logs and tests shall include:

(1) Deviation checks on all holes constructed by first drilling a pilot hole and then enlarging the pilot hole, by reaming or another method. Such checks shall be at sufficiently frequent intervals to assure that vertical avenues for fluid movement in the form of diverging holes are not created during drilling.

(2) Such other logs and tests as may be needed after taking into account the availability of similar data in the area of the drilling site, the construction plan, and the need for additional information that may arise from time to time as the construction of the well progresses. In determining which logs and tests shall be required the following shall be considered by the Department in setting logging and testing requirements:
(a) For surface casing intended to protect underground sources of drinking water in areas where the lithology has not been determined:
(i) Electric and caliper logs before casing is installed; and,

(ii) A cement bond, temperature, or density log after the casing is set and cemented.

(b) For intermediate and long strings of casing intended to facilitate injection:
(i) Electric, porosity and gamma ray logs before the casing is installed;

(ii) Fracture finder log; and,

(iii) A cement bond, temperature, or density log after the casing is set and cemented.

D. At a minimum, the following information concerning the injection formation shall be determined or calculated:

(1) Fluid pressure;

(2) Estimated fracture pressure;

(3) Physical and chemical characteristics of the injection zone.

E. Operating Requirements. Operating requirements shall, at a minimum specify that:

(1) Injection pressure at the wellhead shall not exceed a maximum which shall be calculated so as to assure that the pressure during injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the confining zone adjacent to the Underground Sources of Drinking Waters. In no case shall injection pressure cause the movement of injection or formation fluids into an underground source of drinking water.

(2) Injection between the outermost casing protecting underground sources of drinking water and the well bore is prohibited.

F. Monitoring Requirements for Class II Wells. Monitoring requirements shall, at a minimum, include:

(1) Monitoring of the nature of injected fluids at time intervals sufficiently frequent to yield data representative of their characteristics;

(2) Observation of injection pressure, flow rate, and cumulative volume at least with the following frequencies:
(a) Weekly for produced fluid disposal operations;

(b) Monthly for enhanced recovery operations;

(c) Daily during the injection of liquid hydrocarbons and injection for withdrawal of stored hydrocarbons; and,

(d) Daily during the injection phase of cyclic steam operations; And recording of one observation of injection pressure, flow rate and cumulative volume at reasonable intervals no greater than thirty days.

(3) A demonstration of mechanical integrity at least once every five years during the life of the injection well;

(4) Maintenance of the results of all monitoring until the next permit review; and,

(5) Hydrocarbon storage and enhanced recovery may be monitored on a field or project basis rather than on an individual well basis by manifold monitoring. Manifold monitoring may be used in cases of facilities consisting of more than one injection well, operating with a common manifold. Separate monitoring systems for each well are not required provided the owner/operator demonstrates that manifold monitoring is comparable to individual well monitoring.

G. Monitoring Requirements for Class III, IV(2)

(a) and V.A. Wells.
(1) An appropriate number of monitoring wells shall be completed into the injection zone and into any underground sources of drinking water which could be affected by the injection operation. These wells shall be located in such a fashion as to detect any excursion of injection fluids, process by-products, or formation fluids outside the injection area or zone. If the operation may be affected by subsidence or catastrophic collapse the monitoring wells shall be located so that they will not be physically affected.

(2) In determining the number, location, construction and frequency of monitoring of the monitoring wells the following criteria shall be considered:
(a) The population relying on the USDW affected or potentially affected by the injection operation;

(b) The proximity of the injection operation to points of withdrawal of drinking water;

(c) The local geology and hydrology;

(d) The operating pressures and whether a negative pressure gradient is being maintained;

(e) The nature and volume of the injected fluid, the formation water, and the process by-products; and

(f) The injection well density.

(3) Monitoring requirements shall, at a minimum, specify:
(a) Monitoring of the nature of injected fluids with sufficient frequency to yield representative data on its characteristics;

(b) Monitoring of injection pressure and either flow rate or volume semi-monthly, or metering and daily recording of injected and produced fluid volumes as appropriate;

(c) Demonstration of mechanical integrity at least once every five years during the life of the well;

(d) Monitoring of the fluid level in the injection zone semi-monthly, where appropriate and monitoring of the parameters chosen to measure water quality in the monitoring wells semi-monthly; and,

(e) All Class III wells may be monitored on a field or project basis rather than an individual well basis by manifold monitoring. Manifold monitoring may be used in cases of facilities consisting of more than one injection well, operating with a common manifold. Separate monitoring systems for each well are not required provided the owner/operator demonstrates that manifold monitoring is comparable to individual well monitoring.

H. Reporting Requirements for Class II Wells.

(1) Reporting requirements include a quarterly report to the Department summarizing the results of monitoring required. Such summary shall include monthly records of injected fluids, and any major changes in characteristics or sources of injected fluid. Previously submitted information may be included by reference.

(2) Owners or operators of hydrocarbon storage and enhanced recovery projects may report on a field or project basis rather than an individual well basis where manifold monitoring is used.

I. Reporting Requirements for Class III and Class V.A. Wells. Reporting requirements include:

(1) Quarterly reporting to the Department on required monitoring;

(2) Results of mechanical integrity and any other periodic test required by the Department reported with the first regular quarterly report after the completion of the test; and

(3) Monitoring may be reported on a project or field basis rather than individual well basis where manifold monitoring is used.

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