Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Agency 25 - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Chapter 150 - VIRGINIA GAS AND OIL REGULATION
Part IV - Ground-Disturbing Geophysical Exploration
Section 4VAC25-150-711 - Voids and lost circulation zones
Universal Citation: 4 VA Admin Code 25-150-711
Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
A. Casing through voids.
1. When a corehole is drilled through a void,
the hole shall be drilled at least 30 feet below the void. The annular space
shall be cemented from the base of the casing up to the void and every
reasonable attempt shall be made to fill the annular space from the top of the
void to the surface; or it shall be cemented at least 50 feet into the next
higher string or strings of casing that are cemented to the surface and be
verified by a cement top log.
2.
For good cause shown, the director may approve alternate casing procedures
proposed by the permittee, provided that the director is satisfied that the
alternative casing procedures are operationally equivalent to the requirements
imposed by this section.
3. For
good cause shown, the director may impose special requirements on the permittee
to prevent communication between two or more voids.
B. Reporting of lost circulation zones. The permittee shall report to the director as soon as possible when an unanticipated void or groundwater horizon is encountered that results in lost circulation during drilling. The permittee shall take every necessary action to protect the lost circulation zone.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-361.27 of the Code of Virginia.
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