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 24-20 - Testing and Monitoring Requirements

Universal Citation: WY Code of Rules 24-20

Current through September 21, 2024

(a) The owner or operator of a Class VI well shall prepare, maintain, and comply with a testing and monitoring plan to verify that the geologic sequestration project is operating as permitted and is not endangering USDWs. The testing and monitoring plan shall be submitted with the permit application, shall be subject to Administrator approval, and shall include a description of how the owner or operator will meet the requirements of this Section, including accessing sites for all necessary monitoring and testing during the life of the project.

(b) In addition to the requirements of W.S. § 35-11-313, testing and monitoring associated with geologic sequestration projects shall include:

(i) Analysis of the carbon dioxide stream with sufficient frequency to yield data representative of its chemical and physical characteristics;

(ii) Installation and use, except during well workovers, of continuous recording devices to monitor:
(A) Injection pressure;

(B) Injection rate and volume;

(C) Pressure on the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing;

(D) The annulus fluid volume added; and

(E) The pressure on the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing;

(iii) Corrosion monitoring of the well materials for loss of mass, loss of thickness, cracking, pitting, and other signs of corrosion, which shall be performed and recorded at least quarterly to ensure that the well components meet the minimum standards for material strength and performance set forth in Section 14(b) of this Chapter by:
(A) Analyzing coupons of the well construction materials placed in contact with the carbon dioxide stream;

(B) Routing the carbon dioxide stream through a loop constructed with the material used in the well and inspecting the materials in the loop; or

(C) Using an alternative method approved by the Administrator;

(iv) Periodic monitoring of the groundwater quality and geochemical changes above the confining zones that may be a result of carbon dioxide movement or displaced formation fluid movement through the confining zones or additional zones. The monitoring wells shall:
(A) Use specific information about the geologic sequestration project, including injection rate and volume, geology, the presence of artificial penetrations, and other relevant factors to establish the location and number of monitoring wells; and

(B) Use baseline geochemical data that have been collected under Section 10(b)(xvi) of this Chapter and any modeling results in the area of review evaluation required by Section 13(b) of this Chapter to establish the monitoring frequency and spatial distribution of monitoring wells;

(v) A demonstration of external mechanical integrity pursuant to Section 19(c) at least once per year until the well is plugged;

(vi) If required by the Administrator, a casing inspection log pursuant to requirements of Section 19(d) of this Chapter at a frequency established in the testing and monitoring plan;

(vii) A pressure fall-off test that identifies reservoir conditions with respect to flow dynamics at least once every five (5) years, unless more frequent testing is required by the Administrator based on site-specific information;

(viii) Testing and monitoring to track the extent of the carbon dioxide plume, the position of the pressure front, and surface displacement using:
(A) Direct methods in the injection zone(s); and

(B) Indirect methods in the injection zone (e.g., seismic, electrical, gravity, or electromagnetic surveys and/or down-hole carbon dioxide detection tools) unless the Administrator determines, based on site-specific geology, that such methods are not appropriate;

(ix) Based on site-specific conditions, surface air monitoring or soil gas monitoring to detect movement of carbon dioxide that could endanger a USDW or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment;
(A) The surface air or soil gas monitoring plan shall:
(I) Be based on potential risks to USDWs, and modeling within the area of review;

(II) Use baseline data to establish the monitoring frequency and spatial distribution of surface air monitoring or soil gas monitoring; and

(III) Specify how the proposed monitoring will yield useful information for the area of review delineation and the potential movement of fluid:
(1.) Containing any contaminant into USDWs in exceedance of any primary drinking water regulation under 40 C.F.R. Part 141; or

(2.) Which may otherwise adversely affect human health, safety, or the environment;

(B) If an owner or operator demonstrates that monitoring employed under 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449 accomplishes the goals of subparagraph (b)(ix)(A) of this Section, the Administrator shall approve the use of monitoring employed under 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449. An owner or operator who uses monitoring employed under 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449 to meet the requirements of this Section shall comply with 40 C.F.R. §§ 98.440 to 98.449;

(x) Any additional monitoring, as required by the Administrator, necessary to support, upgrade, and improve computational modeling of the area of review re-evaluation required under Section 13(c) of this Chapter and as necessary to demonstrate that there is no movement of fluid containing any contaminant into USDWs in exceedance of any primary drinking water regulation under 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subparts E, F, and G, or which could otherwise adversely affect human health, safety, or the environment;

(xi) The owner or operator shall periodically review the testing and monitoring plan to incorporate monitoring data collected under this Section, operational data collected under Section 18 of this Chapter, and the most recent area of review reevaluation performed under Section 13 of this Chapter. The owner or operator shall review the testing and monitoring plan at least once every five (5) years. Based on this review, the owner or operator shall submit an amended testing and monitoring plan or demonstrate to the Administrator that no amendment to the testing and monitoring plan is needed. Any amendments to the testing and monitoring plan are subject to approval by the Administrator, shall be incorporated into the permit, and are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 6 of this Chapter. Amended plans or demonstrations shall be submitted to the Administrator as follows:
(A) Within one (1) year of an area of review reevaluation;

(B) Following any significant changes to the facility, such as addition of monitoring wells or newly permitted injection wells within the area of review; or

(C) When required by the Administrator; and

(xii) A quality assurance and surveillance plan for all testing and monitoring requirements.

(c) The owner or operator shall create and retain records of all monitoring information that include:

(i) The date, time, and exact place, of sampling or measurements;

(ii) The individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;

(iii) The dates analyses were performed;

(iv) The individuals who performed the analyses;

(v) The analytical techniques or methods used; and

(vi) The results of such analyses.

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