Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-2-6-.08

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

Section 400-2-6-.08 - Wellhead Equipment And Testing Procedures

(1) Wellhead equipment.

(a) All completed wells shall be equipped with casing heads, wellhead fittings, valves and connections with a rated working-pressure greater than the surface shut-in pressure of the well. Prior to production, the production casing shall be tested to the shut-in tubing pressure with a fluid approved by the Supervisor. When the wellhead is installed, the tree shall be equipped so that the pressures on all annuli can be continuously monitored. Each casing annulus shall have an established maximum pressure limit, which shall be approved by the Supervisor. The maximum allowable pressure for each casing annulus shall be posted near the casing or wellhead. The Supervisor shall be notified if the pressure exceeds, by ten percent (10%), the maximum pressure set for the casing string. Positive pressure shall be maintained on all annuli while producing the well. This pressure may be maintained by repressuring the casing with an approved fluid or inert gas such as nitrogen. All casing annuli pressures shall be continuously monitored and the pressures recorded. The pressure on each casing annulus shall be recorded daily and the maximum pressure each casing annulus reaches during the calendar month shall be reported to the Supervisor quarterly. Connections and valves shall be designed to permit fluid to be pumped between any two strings of casing, unless otherwise approved by the Supervisor. Two master valves shall be installed on the tubing in wells with a surface shut-in pressure in excess of five thousand (5,000) pounds per square inch (psi). All wellhead connections shall be assembled and tested prior to installation by a fluid pressure, which shall be equal to the rated working pressure of the fitting to be installed.

(b) In the event of prolonged operations such as drilling, milling, fishing, jarring, or washing over that could damage casing, the casing shall be pressure-tested, calipered, or otherwise evaluated every thirty (30) days, while operations are ongoing, and the results submitted to the Supervisor.

(2) Abnormal Casing Pressure/Leak Testing. Any well showing abnormal pressure on the casinghead or leaking gas or oil between production casing and the next larger string of casing, shall be immediately reported to the Supervisor and shall be monitored and evaluated for the source of the pressure and leak. A diagnostic test including bleed down through a needle valve and buildup to record the pressures in at least one (1)-hour increments shall be performed on each casing string in the wellbore found with abnormal casing pressure. Wells with abnormal casinghead pressure that is less than twenty percent (20%) of the minimum internal yield pressure of the affected casing and that bleed to zero (0) pounds per square inch (psi) pressure through a needle valve in twenty-four (24) hours or less may continue producing operations from the present completion. Requests for wells having casings with abnormal pressure more than twenty percent (20%) of the minimum internal yield pressure of the affected casing or pressure that does not bleed to zero (0) psi through a needle valve, shall be submitted to the Supervisor for approval to continue producing operations from the present completion. The operator shall comply with any additional diagnostic testing the Supervisor may require. Complete data on each well's casing pressure shall be maintained for a period of two (2) years. If the conditions cannot be corrected, the well shall be killed.

Author: State Oil and Gas Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-2-6-.08

New Rule: Filed April 11, 2000; effective May 16, 2000.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-17-1, etseq.