Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-114

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 24, June 13, 2024

Section 82-3-114 - Plugging methods and procedure

(a) Plugging of producing, storage, and injection wells. In addition to any other applicable requirements in these regulations, the methods and procedure for plugging a well drilled for exploration of oil or gas, for underground porosity gas storage, or for injection shall be as follows:

(1) For productive or past-productive oil or gas formations, a cement plug not less than 50 feet in length or a bridge capped with cement shall be placed above each such formation.

(2) Cement plugs of 50 feet or more in length shall be placed both above and below any fresh or usable water horizons. The lower plug shall extend at least 50 feet below the base of water zones, and the upper plug shall extend at least 50 feet above the top of the water zones.

(3) In each well plugged, a cement plug shall be placed near the surface of the ground in a manner that does not interfere with soil cultivation.

(b) Rathole and mousehole plugging. Each rathole and each mousehole shall be plugged by displacing any mud or water with cement from the bottom of the hole to near the surface in a manner that does not interfere with soil cultivation.

(c) Highly permeable formations. If the wellbore has penetrated both a highly permeable formation and an overlying major salt formation, a cement plug of 50 feet or more in length shall be set above the highly permeable formation. Additionally, a cement plug of 50 feet or more in length shall be set in the first formation compatible with cement in each of the following locations:

(1) Immediately above the salt formation; and

(2) immediately below the salt formation.

(d) Well location exceptions. In wells located within 330 feet from the lease or unit boundary or located within less than the minimum distance specified in K.A.R. 82-3-108(b), all zones that are perforated or open in the well and that are being produced on the lease adjacent to that boundary shall be plugged. This requirement shall not apply to zones that are not producing within one-half mile of the well to be plugged.

(e) Plugging intervals. All intervals between plugs within the same wellbore shall be filled with an approved heavy, mud-laden fluid of not less than 36 viscosity as measured using the marsh funnel method described in sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the "recommended practice standard procedure for field testing water-based drilling fluids," second edition, dated September 1997 and published by the American petroleum institute. Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this document are hereby adopted by reference. The approved heavy, mud-laden fluid shall have a weight of not less than nine pounds per gallon. If the requirements of this subsection are not met, a bridge shall be set at all plugging intervals.

(f) Alternative plugging methods; when authorized.

(1) If the procedures specified in this regulation cannot be followed due to conditions in the casing or wellbore, alternative plug placement while ensuring the protection of fresh and usable water may be authorized by a representative of the com-mission.

(2) The operator, with the approval of the representative of the commission, may place cement in the well by using a dump bailer, pumping through tubing, or using any other method approved by the commission.

(g) Tagging plugs. Plugs may be tagged by the commission at the direction of the director of the conservation division.

This regulation shall be effective on and after October 29, 2002.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-114

Authorized by K.S.A. 55-152 and K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 55-1,115 and 74-623; implementing K.S.A. 55-152, 55-156, 55-157, 55-159, and K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 55-1,115 and 74-623; effective, T-83-44, Dec. 8, 1982; effective May 1, 1983; amended May 1, 1984; amended, T-87-3; amended May 1, 1986; amended May 1, 1988; amended May 8, 1989; amended, T-82-6-27-02, July 1, 2002; amended Oct. 29, 2002.