Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-6-8-.24

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 335-6-8-.24 - Class VI Well Plugging Requirements

(1) At the conclusion of CO2 injection activities, the injection well must be permanently plugged, permanently removed from service, and cannot be converted to any other type of use.

(2) Prior to the well plugging, the owner or operator must flush each Class VI injection well with a buffer fluid, determine bottomhole reservoir pressure, and perform a final external mechanical integrity test.

(3) The owner or operator of a Class VI well must prepare, maintain, and comply with a well plugging plan that is acceptable to the Department. The requirement to maintain and implement an approved plan is directly enforceable regardless of whether the requirement is a condition of the permit. The well plugging plan must be submitted as part of the permit application and must include the following information:

(a) Appropriate tests or measures for determining bottomhole reservoir pressure;

(b) Appropriate testing methods to ensure external mechanical integrity as specified in 335-6-8-.21;

(c) The type and number of plugs to be used;

(d) The placement of each plug, including the elevation of the top and bottom of each plug;

(e) The type, grade, and quantity of material to be used in plugging. The material must be compatible with the carbon dioxide stream; and

(f) The method of placement of the plugs.

(4) The owner or operator must notify the Department, in writing, at least 60 days before plugging of a well. At this time, if any changes have been made to the original well plugging plan, the owner or operator must also provide the proposed revisions to the well plugging plan. The Department may allow for a shorter notice period. Any amendments to the injection well plugging plan must be approved by the Department, must be incorporated into the permit, and are subject to the permit modification requirements of 335-6-8-.08.

(5) Within 60 days after plugging, the owner or operator must submit a plugging report to the Department, and to the EPA, pursuant to rule 335-6-8-.23(e). The report must be certified as accurate by the owner or operator and by the person who performed the plugging operation (if other than the owner or operator.) The owner or operator shall retain the well plugging report for 10 years following site closure.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-6-8-.24

New Rule: Filed August 22, 2011; effective September 26, 2011.

Author: Sonja Massey

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-22-9, 22-22A-5, 22-22A-6, 22-22A-8.