7 Del. Admin. Code § 7102-61.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024

Section 7102-61.0 - Mechanical integrity

61.1 These provisions shall apply to all Class I wells.

61.1.1 An injection well has mechanical integrity if:

61.1.1.1 There is no significant leak in the casing, tubing or packer, as verified by required tests; and

61.1.1.2 There is no significant fluid movement into an underground source of drinking water through vertical channels adjacent to the injection well bore.

61.1.2 One of the following methods must be used to evaluate the absence of significant leaks under subsection 61.1.1.1:

61.1.2.1 Following an initial pressure test, monitoring of the tubing-casing annulus pressure with sufficient frequency to be representative, as determined by the Director, while maintaining an annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface; or

61.1.2.2 Pressure test of inner casing or tubing with liquid or gas.

61.1.3 The following methods shall be used to determine the absence of fluid movement under subsection 61.1.1.2:

61.1.3.1 The results of a temperature or noise log, and

61.1.3.2 A radioactive tracer survey. The radioactive tracer survey shall not be required by the Department if such testing may pose a threat to an underground source of drinking water.

61.1.4 The Department shall allow the use of a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity, other than those listed in subsections 61.1.2 and 61.1.3, if the applicant has sought and obtained the written approval of the DNREC and the EPA. If the EPA has published in the Federal Register an alternative mechanical integrity test method, only written Department approval shall be required before conducting alternative mechanical integrity tests other than those specified in subsections 61.1.2 and 61.1.3.

61.1.5 A pressure test required under subsection 61.1.2 shall be conducted with a liquid at a minimum pressure of 1.5 times the maximum pressure at which the well is to be permitted, or 50 psi, whichever is higher, for at least one (1) hour. Internal mechanical integrity under subsection 61.1.1 is demonstrated if there is no more than a five-percent (5%) pressure change over the one-hour test period. The pressure used to test wells constructed using tubing and packer shall not exceed the design specifications of the tubing or packer.

61.1.6 A Radioactive Tracer Test required under subsection 61.1.3 shall be performed in accordance with one of the methods published by the EPA in the Federal Register and EPA technical documents. The permittee shall submit a Radioactive Tracer Test Plan for Department approval prior to performing the test, and shall arrange to perform the test with a Department representative on site.

61.1.7 In conducting and evaluating the tests enumerated in this Section or others to be allowed by the Department, the owner or operator and the Department shall apply methods and standards generally accepted in the industry. When the owner or operator reports the results of mechanical integrity tests to the Department, such report shall include a description of the test(s), the method(s) used, and the interpretation of the results. In making the evaluation, the Department shall review monitoring and other test data submitted since the previous evaluation.

61.1.8 The Department shall require additional or alternative mechanical integrity tests in accordance with this Section.

61.1.9 A permit for any Class I or injection project which lacks mechanical integrity shall include, and for any Class V well may include, a condition prohibiting injection operations until the permittee affirmatively demonstrates under subsections 61.1.1 through 61.1.3, that the well has mechanical integrity, or the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that there is no movement of fluid into or between underground sources of drinking water.

61.1.10 Prior to making a formal determination regarding an injection well, the Department may consult with outside technical professionals including, but not limited to, the following: representatives from the Department's offices, the Delaware Geological Survey, local environmental programs, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the EPA.

61.1.11 The Department may require additional or alternative tests if the results presented by the owner or operator are not satisfactory to the Department to demonstrate that there is no movement of fluid into or between USDWs resulting from the injection activity.

7 Del. Admin. Code § 7102-61.0

21 DE Reg. 978 (6/1/2018) (Final)