Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 020 - Environmental Quality, Dept. of
Sub-Agency 0011 - Water Quality
Chapter 24 - Class VI Injection Wells and Facilities Underground Injection Control Program
Section 24-13 - Area of Review Delineation and Corrective Action

Universal Citation: WY Code of Rules 24-13

Current through September 21, 2024

(a) The owner or operator of a Class VI well shall prepare, maintain, and comply with a plan to delineate the area of review for a proposed geologic sequestration project, reevaluate the delineation, and perform corrective action that meets the requirements of this Section and is approved by the Administrator. The area of review shall be based on computational modeling that accounts for the physical and chemical properties of all phases of the injected carbon dioxide stream. The area of review shall never be less than the area of potentially affected groundwater. An area of review and corrective action plan shall include the following information:

(i) The method for delineating the area of review that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this Section, including the name, version and availability of the model that will be used, assumptions that will be made, and the site characterization data on which the model will be based;

(ii) A description of:
(A) The monitoring and operational conditions that would warrant a reevaluation of the area of review prior to the next scheduled re-evaluation as determined by the minimum fixed frequency established in paragraph (c) of this Section.

(B) How monitoring and operational data (e.g., injection rate and pressure) will be used to evaluate the area of review; and

(C) How corrective action will be conducted to meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, including:
(I) What corrective action will be performed prior to injection;

(II) What, if any, portions of the area of review will have corrective action addressed on a phased basis and how the phasing will be determined;

(III) How corrective action will be adjusted if there are changes in the area of review; and

(IV) How site access will be ensured for future corrective action.

(b) Owners or operators of Class VI wells shall perform the following actions to delineate the area of review, identify all wells that require corrective action, and perform corrective action on those wells:

(i) Predict, using existing site characterization, monitoring and operational data, and computational modeling:
(A) The projected lateral and vertical migration of the carbon dioxide plume and formation fluids in the subsurface from the commencement of injection activities until the plume movement ceases;

(B) The pressure differentials, demonstrating that pressure differentials sufficient to cause the movement of injected fluids or formation fluids into a USDW or to otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment will not be present, or until the end of a fixed time period determined by the Administrator;

(C) The potential need for brine removal; and

(D) The long-term effects of pressure buildup if brine is not removed.

(ii) Use modeling that:
(A) Is based on:
(I) Detailed geologic data available or collected to characterize the injection zone, confining zone, and any additional zones; and

(II) Anticipated operating data, including injection pressures, rates and total volumes over the proposed operational life of the facility;

(B) Takes into account any relevant geologic heterogeneities, other discontinuities, data quality, and their possible impact on model predictions; and

(C) Considers potential migration through faults, fractures, and artificial penetrations.

(iii) Using methods approved by the Administrator, identify all penetrations, including active and abandoned wells and underground mines, in the area of review that may penetrate the confining zone, and provide a description of each well's type, construction, date drilled, location, depth, record of plugging and completion, and any additional information the Administrator may require;

(iv) Determine which abandoned wells in the area of review have been plugged in a manner that prevents the movement of:
(A) Carbon dioxide that may endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment; or

(B) Displaced formation fluids, or other fluids, including the use of materials compatible with the carbon dioxide stream, that may endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment; and

(v) Owners or operators of Class VI wells shall perform corrective action on any wells in the area of review that are determined to need corrective action, using methods designed to prevent the movement of fluid into or between USDWs including use of materials compatible with the carbon dioxide stream, where appropriate.

(c) At a fixed frequency, not to exceed two (2) years during the operational life of the facility or five (5) years during the post-injection site care period (until site closure) as specified in the area of review and corrective action plan, or when monitoring and operational conditions warrant, owners or operators shall:

(i) Re-evaluate the area of review in the same manner specified in subparagraph (b)(i) of this Section;

(ii) Identify all wells in the re-evaluated area of review that require corrective action in the same manner specified in subparagraph (b)(iv) of this Section;

(iii) Perform corrective action on wells requiring corrective action in the reevaluated area of review in the same manner specified in subparagraph (b)(v) of this Section; and

(iv) Submit an amended area of review and corrective action plan, or demonstrate to the Administrator through monitoring data and modeling results that no change to the area of review and corrective action plan is needed.
(A) Amendments to the area of review and corrective action plan shall be subject to approval of the Administrator.

(B) Amendments to the area of review shall be incorporated into the permit.

(C) Amendments to the area of review are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter.

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