2 Colo. Code Regs. § 404-1-614

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 20, October 25, 2024

Section 2 CCR 404-1-614 - COALBED METHANE WELLS

a.Assessment and Monitoring of Plugged and Abandoned Wells Within 1/4 mile of Proposed Coalbed Methane Well.

(1) Based upon examination of Commission and other publicly available records, Operators will identify all Plugged and Abandoned Wells located within 1/4 mile of a proposed coalbed methane ("CBM") Well. The Operator will assess the risk of leaking gas or water to the ground surface or into subsurface water resources, taking into account plugging and cementing procedures described in any recompletion or Plug and Abandonment report filed with the Commission. The Operator will notify the Director of the results of the assessment of the plugging and cementing procedures. The Director will review the assessment and take appropriate action to pursue further investigation and Remediation if warranted and pursuant to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation and Environmental Response Fund.

(2) Operators will conduct a soil gas survey at all Plugged and Abandoned Wells located within 1/4 mile of a proposed CBM Well prior to production from the proposed CBM Well and again 1 year and thereafter every 3 years after production has commenced. Operators will submit the results of the soil gas survey to the Director within 3 months of conducting the survey.

b.Coal Outcrop and Coal Mine Monitoring.

(1) If the CBM Well is within 2 miles of the outcrop of the stratigraphic contact between the coal-bearing formation and the underlying formation, or within 2 miles of an active, inactive, or abandoned coal mine, then prior to drilling the CBM Well, the Operator will determine whether there are gas seeps, springs, or water seeps that discharge from the coal-bearing formation in the area by:

A. Making a good faith effort to obtain the access necessary to survey the outcrop or mine;

B. Reviewing publicly available geologic and hydrogeologic data; and

C. Interviewing the Surface Owner(s).

(2) If a gas seep is identified during the survey, then the Operator will survey its location and areal extent pursuant to Rule 216, and determine the concentration of the soil gas. If possible, the Operator will collect a sample of gas from the seep for compositional analysis and stable isotope analysis of the gas pursuant to 615.e.(4). Thereafter, the Operator will inspect the gas seep, survey its areal extent, and measure soil gas concentrations annually, if access can be obtained. Within 3 months of its completion of the field work, the Operator will submit the results of the outcrop or mine monitoring to the Director in an electronic data deliverable format via a Form 43, Analytical Sample Submittal and, if necessary, via a Form 4. The Operator will concurrently provide the same information to the Surface Owner.

(3) If a spring or water seep is identified during the survey, then the Operator will survey its location and areal extent pursuant to Rule 216, measure the flow rate, photograph the feature, and collect and analyze a water sample pursuant to Rule 615.e. Thereafter, the Operator will inspect the spring or water seep, survey its areal extent, and measure its flow rate annually, if access can be obtained. Within 3 months of its completion of the field work, the Operator will submit the results of the outcrop or mine monitoring to the Director in an electronic data deliverable format via a Form 43 and, if necessary, via a Form 4. The Operator will concurrently provide the same information to the Surface Owner.

(4) If a gas seep is identified during the survey, the Director will advise the Surface Owner(s), Relevant Local Government, Colorado Geological Survey ("CGS"), and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety ("DRMS"), as appropriate, of the findings. In collaboration with state, local, and private interests, the CGS, DRMS, and the Commission may elect to develop a Geologic Hazard survey and determine whether the area should be recommended to be designated as a Geologic Hazard pursuant to § 24-65.1-103, C.R.S.

c.Prior to Producing - Static Bottom-Hole Pressure Survey. Prior to producing the Well, the Operator will obtain a static bottom-hole pressure test on at least the first Well drilled on a government quarter section. The survey will be conducted by either a direct static bottom-hole pressure measurement or by a static Fluid level measurement. The data acquired by the Operator and a description of the procedures used to gather the data will be reported on a Form 13, Bottom Hole Pressure, and submitted with the Form 5A, Completed Interval Report, filed with the Director. After reviewing the quality of the static bottom-hole pressure data and the adequacy of the geographic distribution of the data, or at the request of the Operator, the Director may vary the number of Wells subject to the static bottom-hole pressure survey requirement. If an application for increased Well density or down spacing is filed with the Commission, then additional testing may be required.

d.CBM Monitoring. If a conventional gas Well or Plugged and Abandoned Well exists within 1/4 mile of a proposed CBM Well, then in addition to the water sources described in Rule 615.b, the 2 closest water wells within a 1/2 mile radius of the conventional gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well will be sampled pursuant to Rules 615.c-f.

(1) If possible, the water wells selected should be on opposite sides of the conventional gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well not exceeding a 1/2 mile radius. If water wells on opposite sides of the conventional gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well cannot be identified, then the 2 closest wells within a 1/2 mile radius of the conventional gas Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well will be sampled.

(2) If 2 or more conventional Wells or Plugged and Abandoned Wells are located within 1/4 mile of the proposed CBM Well, then the conventional Well or the Plugged and Abandoned Well closest to a proposed CBM Well will be used for selecting water wells for sampling.

(3) If there are no conventional gas Wells or Plugged and Abandoned Wells located within a 1/4 mile radius of the proposed CBM Well this Rule 614.d will not apply.

e.Bradenhead Testing. An Operator of a CBM Well will comply with Rule 419, except as modified by this Rule 614.e. The appropriate regulatory agency will determine remedial requirements. The bradenhead testing requirement will not apply if the Operator demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Director annular cement coverage greater than 50 feet above the base of surface casing and zonal isolation is confirmed by reliable evidence such as a cement bond log or cementing ticket indicating that the height of cement coverage is 50 feet above the base of the surface casing, and zonal isolation is confirmed by two consecutive bradenhead tests that the Operator conducts at least 12 months apart. Before beginning a bradenhead test, the Operator will shut-in the bradenhead annulus for a minimum shut-in period of 7 days.

2 CCR 404-1-614

37 CR 16, August 25, 2014, effective 9/30/2014

38 CR 01, January 10, 2015, effective 2/14/2015

38 CR 03, February 10, 2015, effective 3/2/2015

38 CR 07, April 10, 2015, effective 4/30/2015

38 CR 16, August 25, 2015, effective 9/14/2015

39 CR 04, February 25, 2016, effective 3/16/2016

41 CR 05, March 10, 2018, effective 4/1/2018

41 CR 06, March 25, 2018, effective 5/1/2018

41 CR 23, December 10, 2018, effective 12/30/2018

42 CR 02, January 25, 2019, effective 2/14/2019

42 CR 17, September 10, 2019, effective 9/30/2019

42 CR 24, December 25, 2019, effective 1/14/2020

43 CR 17, September 10, 2020, effective 9/30/2020

43 CR 13, July 10, 2020, effective 11/2/2020

43 CR 24, December 25, 2020, effective 1/15/2021

45 CR 07, April 10, 2022, effective 4/30/2022

45 CR 09, May 10, 2022, effective 5/30/2022

45 CR 13, July 10, 2022, effective 7/30/2022