Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-115b

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

Section 82-3-115b - Plugging methods and procedures for seismic shot holes; retention of logs; penalty; exception; fees

(a) Each seismic shot hole shall be plugged in accordance with the specified methods applicable to the geologic conditions or drilling method used as described in this regulation and in Table IV.

(b) Each hole drilled with water or water-based muds and each hole that encounters water and does not encounter artesian pressure shall be plugged using the following method.

(1) Each seismic shot hole drilled in a single aquifer area shall be plugged from the point of collapse of the last shot with one 50-pound bag of coarse ground bentonite followed by cuttings to within 12 feet of the surface. The top 12 feet of the hole shall be filled with coarse ground bentonite. A non-metallic retrievable plug with identifying mark shall be placed three feet from the surface.

(2) Each seismic shot hole drilled in a multiple aquifer area and which penetrates only the upper aquifer, may be plugged using the single aquifer method.

(3) Seismic shot holes drilled into or through multiple aquifers shall be pre-plugged by filling the hole with coarse ground bentonite to a point at which the bentonite no longer encounters water followed by cuttings to within 12 feet of the surface. The top 12 feet of the hole shall be filled with coarse ground bentonite. A non-metallic retrievable plug with identifying marks shall be placed three feet from the surface. The plug shall be allowed to set at least 15 hours prior to detonation of the explosive charge unless a lesser time is approved by the appropriate district supervisor. The coarse ground bentonite used to fill the hole up to the point where it no longer encounters water shall be poured at a rate no greater than one 50 pound bag per two minutes.

(4) Each seismic shot hole that penetrates a saltwater formation shall be plugged from bottom to top with cement. The blend of cement shall be approved by the district supervisor.

(5) Alternate plugging material may be substituted for coarse ground bentonite in accordance with procedures set forth in K.A.R. 82-3-115(h).

(c) Each hole that penetrates a strata which causes water to flow at the surface shall not be charged nor shot and shall be immediately plugged with cement. The plug shall be placed from bottom to top using tubular goods for placement. Prior to plugging, the company shall immediately notify the appropriate district office for plugging instructions.

(d) If groundwater is not encountered in a seismic shot hole that is drilled with air, dry augured, or otherwise drilled, the hole shall be either pre-plugged or post-plugged by filling the hole with clay or silt sized cuttings from the point of collapse of the last shot to within 12 feet of the surface. The top 12 feet of the hole shall be filled with coarse ground bentonite. A non-metallic retrievable plug with identifying mark shall be placed three feet from the surface.

(e) The district supervisor may make changes in the plugging requirements on a case-by-case basis and may prescribe other methods where the district supervisor deems other plugging methods to be more appropriate due to geological or hydrologic conditions.

(f) The operator shall submit plugging reports to the Conservation Division Central Office on forms provided by the commission within 90 days after the commencement of each project. All plugging reports shall include:

(1) a description of the placement of plugs and the material used;

(2) a description of the identifying mark on the non-metallic retrievable plug;

(3) the name of the licensed person, firm, association, or corporation actually conducting the seismic operation; and

(4) a plat map showing the number of holes drilled, the location of each hole, the designated well number of each hole, and other information requested on the plugging report. Requests for confidentiality of plat map information should be made to the Director in accordance with procedures set forth in K.A.R. 82-3-107(e) and will be subject to time limits established in that regulation.

(g) The operator shall notify the appropriate district office prior to the plugging if the plugging of seismic holes is to occur anytime other than immediately after shooting takes place.

(h) When an emergency situation exists, the operator shall verbally notify and present the plugging proposal to the district office. A written plugging report shall be filed with both the district and conservation division office within five days of the completion of the plugging operation.

(i) A listing of those areas in which complex, multiple or divided aquifers occur shall be prepared by the commission. This list shall be made available to all drillers of seismic shot holes. Seismic shot holes drilled in these areas shall be plugged in accordance with the guidelines described in subsection (b)(3) of this regulation or as determined by the district supervisor.

(j) The driller or on-site geologist shall keep well logs of each hole drilled on forms approved by the commission. The logs shall be retained by the operator. If requested by the Conservation Division, the logs shall be made available contingent upon client approval.

(k) A minimum fee of $5 shall be assessed for plugging of seismic holes. The minimum fee for any hole which penetrates a regionally confined salt water aquifer shall be assessed pursuant to K.A.R. 82-3-118.

(1) Seismic operations which do not require the drilling or digging of a hole shall be exempt from the requirements of this regulation.

(m) Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation shall result in the following penalties:

(1) $250 fine for the first offense, plus correction of the violation;

(2) Up to $1000 fine for the second offense and review of operator's license, plus correction of any violations; and

(3) Up to $2000 fine per hole for the third offense, plus 30 days suspension of license, which may be extended if correction of violation does not occur during suspension period, and review of license.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-115b

Authorized by K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 55-152; implementing K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 55-151, 55-152, 55-164; effective March 20, 1995.