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 24-3 - Applicability

Universal Citation: WY Code of Rules 24-3

Current through September 21, 2024

(a) Construction, installation, operation, monitoring, testing, plugging, post-injection site care, and modification of any Class VI well shall be allowed only in accordance with this Chapter.

(b) This chapter applies to all Class VI wells.

(i) This Chapter applies to owners, operators, and permittees of Class VI wells.

(ii) This Chapter applies to any Class I industrial, Class II, or Class V experimental or demonstration carbon dioxide injection project that is converted to a Class VI well. A permitted Class I, Class II, or Class V injection well may be converted to a Class VI well by obtaining a Class VI permit pursuant to this Chapter.
(A) To convert a permitted Class I, Class II, or Class V injection well to a Class VI well, the applicant shall:
(I) Apply for a Class VI permit;

(II) Demonstrate to the Administrator that the well was engineered and constructed to meet the requirements of Section 14(a) of this Chapter; and

(III) In lieu of meeting the requirements of Section 14(b) and Section 17(a) of this Chapter, demonstrate to the Administrator that the well will ensure protection of USDWs and will not endanger any USDW.

(B) After December 10, 2011, owners or operators of Class I wells previously permitted for the purpose of geologic sequestration and Class V experimental technology wells no longer being used for experimental purposes that will continue injection of carbon dioxide for the purpose of geologic sequestration shall obtain a Class VI permit.

(C) If the Administrator determines that a converted Class I, Class II, or Class V injection well will not endanger any USDWs, the Administrator may exempt the well from the requirements of Section 14(b)(i) - (vii) and Section 17(a)(i)-(v) of this Chapter.

(c) The injection of carbon dioxide for purposes of a project for enhanced recovery of oil or other minerals approved by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is not subject to the provisions of this Chapter unless the operator converts to geologic sequestration upon the cessation of oil and gas recovery operations or as otherwise required by the Commission or Director.

(d) For owners or operators of Class II wells described in W.S. § 35-11-313(c):

(i) The Director's determination of primary purpose and increased risk to a USDW shall include, at a minimum, an evaluation of the following criteria:
(A) Increase in reservoir pressure within the injection zone(s).

(B) Increase in carbon dioxide injection rates.

(C) Decrease in reservoir production rates.

(D) Distance between the injection zone(s) and USDWs.

(E) Suitability of the Class II area of review delineation.

(F) Quality of abandoned well plugs within the area of review.

(G) The owner's and/or operator's plan for recovery of carbon dioxide at the cessation of injection.

(H) The source and properties of the injected carbon dioxide.

(I) Any additional site-specific factors as determined by the Administrator.

(ii) An owner or operator may apply for a Class VI permit upon recommendation by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission supervisor, or by the Commission, that regulation of a Class II enhanced recovery operation be transferred to the Department.

(iii) An owner or operator of a Class II enhanced recovery operation shall apply for a Class VI permit within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice from the Director that a Class VI permit is required.

(e) The requirements to maintain and implement approved plans, and maintain adequate financial responsibility, are directly enforceable regardless of whether the requirements are conditions of the permit.

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