Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Natural Resources
Title R655 - Natural Resources, Water Rights
Rule R655-1 - Wells Used for the Discovery and Production of Geothermal Energy in the State of Utah
Section R655-1-7 - Maintenance

Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 655-1-7

Current through Bulletin 2024-18, September 15, 2024

7.1 General: All well heads, separators, pumps, mufflers, manifolds, valves, pipelines, and other equipment used for the production of geothermal resources shall be maintained in good condition in order to prevent loss of or damage to life, health, property, and natural resources.

7.2 Corrosion: All surface well head equipment and pipelines and subsurface casing and tubing will be subject to periodic corrosion surveillance in order to safeguard health, life, property, and natural resources.

7.3 Tests: The Division may require tests or remedial work as in its judgment are necessary to prevent damage to life, health, property, and natural resources, to protect geothermal reservoirs from damage or to prevent the infiltration of detrimental substances into underground or surface water suitable for irrigation or other beneficial uses to the best interest of the neighboring property owners and the public. Tests may include, but are not limited to, casing tests, cementing tests, and equipment tests.

7.4 Miscellaneous Activities. The owner or operator of the geothermal resource shall notify the Division of intention to:

1) Make minor change in the manner in which a well is operated;

2) Conduct temperature or pressure survey;

3) Conduct a flow test; or

4) Perform routine maintenance of a well. The notice must be submitted to the Division prior to the commencement of work. Minor changes can include installing or changing capillary tubing; pulling or replacing a pump; or any other change for which the Division takes little or no action other than acknowledging the notice and filing it. The Division reserves the right to inspect any of the noticed activities listed in this subsection.

7.5 Other Permitted Activities. The owner or operator of a geothermal resource shall submit application for permission to engage in the following activities:

(a) Increasing the depth of a well;

(b) Testing of water shut-off;

(c) Entering or opening a plugged well;

(d) Shooting, acidizing or fracture treating;

(e) Drilling in a direction which is not intended to be vertical, including directional drilling;

(f) Changing the construction of a hole or well including placing a plug in the hole or well and recovering or altering the casing.

(g) Conducting a major work over or cleaning of a well;

(h) Changing a well's ownership, status, name, or location'

(i) Abandoning and plugging a well

7.5.1 The owner or operator of the geothermal resource shall report to the Division any progress regarding or the completion of an activity for which permission was required pursuant to this section and any supplemental history of the well.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Utah 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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