Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) Notification of incidents and sources
lost in other than downhole logging operations shall be made in accordance with
appropriate provisions of chapter 246-221 WAC.
(2) The licensee shall immediately notify the
state of Washington division of radiation protection by telephone
(206-682-5327) and subsequently within five days by confirmatory letter if:
(a) Licensed material has been lost in or
near a fresh water aquifer; or
(b)
A sealed source has been ruptured. This notice must designate the well or other
location and describe the magnitude and extent of licensed materials, assess
the consequences of the loss or rupture, and explain efforts planned or being
taken to mitigate these consequences.
(3) Whenever a sealed source or device
containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:
(a) Monitor the surface for the presence of
radioactive contamination with an appropriate radiation survey instrument (not
the logging tool itself) during logging tool recovery operations; and
(b) Notify the department immediately by
telephone (206-682-5327) if radioactive contamination is detected at the
surface or if the source appears to be damaged.
(4) When it becomes apparent that efforts to
recover the radioactive source will not be successful, the licensee shall:
(a) Notify the department by telephone
(206-682-5327) of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve
the source and --
(i) Obtain department
approval to implement abandonment procedures; or
(ii) That the licensee implemented
abandonment before receiving department approval because the licensee believed
there was an immediate threat to public health and safety; and
(b) Advise the well operator or
owner, as appropriate, of the regulations of the state of Washington regarding
abandonment, and an appropriate method of abandonment. The licensee shall
ensure that such abandonment procedures are implemented within thirty days
after the sealed source has been classified as irretrievable or request an
extension of time if unable to complete the abandonment procedures;
and
(c) File a written report with
the department within thirty days of the abandonment, including a copy to each
appropriate state or federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved
of the drilling operation, setting forth the following information:
(i) Date and time of occurrence and a brief
description of attempts to recover the source;
(ii) A description of the radioactive
source(s) involved, including radionuclide, quantity, make, model and serial
number, and chemical and physical form;
(iii) Surface location and identification of
well;
(iv) Results of efforts to
immobilize and seal the source in place;
(v) Depth of the radioactive source in meters
or feet;
(vi) Depth to the top of
cement plug in meters or feet;
(vii) Depth of the well in meters or
feet;
(viii) The immediate threat
to public health and safety justification for implementing abandonment if prior
departmental approval was not obtained in accordance with subsection (4)(a)(ii)
of this section;
(ix) Any other
information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent
identification plaque; and
(x)
State and federal agencies receiving a copy of this report.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.050. 03-12-062, § 246-244-240,
filed 6/2/03, effective 7/3/03; 98-13-037, § 246-244-240, filed 6/8/98,
effective 7/9/98. Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.050 and
70.98.080. 91-15-112 (Order 184),
§ 246-244-240, filed 7/24/91, effective 8/24/91. Statutory Authority:
RCW
43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified
as § 246-244-240, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.080. 87-01-031 (Order 2450), §
402-38-500, filed 12/11/86.
