Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-8-1-.54

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 3, December 31, 2024

Section 400-8-1-.54 - [Effective 1/11/2025] Post-Injection Site Care and Facility Closure Plan

The Board may at any time by a motion by the Board during the operation of the facility require the operator at a hearing to present, discuss or review the post-injection site care and facility closure plan. Prior to the actual closure of the facility, the storage operator shall file a post-injection site care and facility closure plan. The storage operator shall pay a fee to the Board in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for a petition to approve a post-injection site care and facility closure plan.

1. In support of the petition, the storage operator shall submit the following information:

a. The pressure differential between pre-injection and predicted post-injection pressures in the injection zone;

b. The predicted position of the carbon dioxide plume and associated pressure front at cessation of injection;

c. A description of post-injection monitoring location, methods, and proposed frequency;

d. A schedule for submitting post-injection site care monitoring results to the Board; and

e. The duration of the post-injection site care monitoring timeframe that ensures nonendangerment of underground sources of drinking water.

2. The storage operator shall specify in the post-injection site care and facility closure plan the wells that will be plugged and the wells that will remain unplugged to be used as subsurface observation wells. Subsurface observation and ground water subsurface observation wells as approved in the plan must remain in place for continued monitoring during the closure and post-closure periods.

3. Upon cessation of injection, the storage operator shall either submit an amended post-injection site care and facility closure plan or demonstrate to the Board through monitoring data and modeling results that no amendment to the plan is needed. Any amendments to the post-injection site care and facility closure plan are subject to the Board 's approval.

4. Upon cessation of injection, all wells not associated with monitoring must be properly plugged and abandoned in a manner which will not allow movement of injection or formation fluids that endanger underground sources of drinking water or natural resources. All storage facility equipment, appurtenances, and structures not associated with monitoring must be removed. Following well plugging and removal of all surface equipment, the surface must be reclaimed to the Board's specifications that will, in general, return the land as closely as practicable to original condition.

5. The well casing must be cut off at a depth of five (5) feet below the surface and a steel plate welded on top identifying the well name and stating that it was used for carbon dioxide storage.

6. The Board shall develop in conjunction with the storage operator a continuing monitoring plan for the post-closure period, including a review and final approval of wells to be plugged.

7. The storage operator shall continue to conduct monitoring during the closure period as specified in the post-injection site care and facility closure plan.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-8-1-.54

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLIII, Issue No. 02, November 27, 2024, eff. 1/11/2025.

Author: S. Marvin Rogers

Statutory Authority: 9-17-150 et seq. of the Code of Alabama (1975)