La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § XVII-3739

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XVII-3739 - Additional Criteria Specific to Stored Media

A. Hydrogen

1. Spacing.

a. Adjacent Structures within the Salt. The minimum pillar spacing between a hydrogen storage cavern and any other adjacent structures within the salt shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, and based upon the depth and configuration of cavern, any geomechanical analyses, monitoring plan, etc. However, without exception or variance to these rules and regulations, as measured in any direction, the minimum separation between walls of adjacent caverns or between the walls of the cavern and any adjacent cavern or any other manmade structure within the salt stock shall not be less than 200 feet. Hydrogen storage caverns must be operated in a manner that ensures the walls between any cavern and any other manmade structure maintain the minimum separation of 200 feet.

b. Salt Periphery. The minimum separation between the outermost extent of the cavern and the periphery of the salt stock shall be determined on a case-by-case basis based upon the substances to be stored, the depth and configuration of the cavern, any geomechanical analyses, monitoring plan, etc. However, without exception or variance to these rules and regulations, at no time shall the minimum separation between the cavern walls at any point and the periphery of the salt stock for a Class V storage cavern be less than 300 feet.

3. Casing and Cementing

a. The first casing string cemented into the salt stock shall have connections with seals approved by the commissioner.

b. Any cemented casing in contact with the hydrogen stream must have welded connections with integrity verified by a method approved by the commissioner.

4. Casing Inspection Logs. Unless specifically exempted by the commissioner, a casing inspection log or approved alternative method of evaluation shall be run on the entire length of the innermost cemented casing in each well at least once every five years for Class V hydrogen storage caverns. Casing inspection logs shall be submitted to the Office of Conservation and shall include an interpretive report.

5. Any storage of hydrogen into a solution-mined salt cavern shall require a Class V Hydrogen Storage permit pursuant to this Chapter unless:

a. the hydrogen is an incidental part of another permitted constituent stream; and

b. the hydrogen is compatible with the cavern, wellbore, and wellhead materials.

6. Any monitoring plan approved by the commissioner shall include the specific method(s) for detecting and controlling any hydrogen emissions.

B. Nitrogen

1. Nothing in this chapter shall require Class V permitting for the use of nitrogen as a blanket material or a test medium in a Class III solution-mined cavern or Class II hydrocarbon storage cavern.

C. Helium

1. Spacing

a. Adjacent Structures. Within the Salt. The minimum pillar spacing between a helium storage cavern and any other adjacent structures within the salt shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, and based upon the depth and configuration of cavern, any geomechanical analyses, monitoring plan, etc. However, without exception or variance to these rules and regulations, as measured in any direction, the minimum separation between walls of adjacent caverns or between the walls of the cavern and any adjacent cavern or any other manmade structure within the salt stock shall not be less than 200 feet. Helium storage caverns must be operated in a manner that ensures the walls between any cavern and any other manmade structure maintain the minimum separation of 200 feet.

b. Salt Periphery. The minimum separation between the outermost extent of the cavern and the periphery of the salt stock shall be determined on a case-by-case basis based upon the substances to be stored, the depth and configuration of the cavern, any geomechanical analyses, monitoring plan, etc. However, without exception or variance to these rules and regulations, at no time shall the minimum separation between the cavern walls at any point and the periphery of the salt stock for a Class V storage cavern be less than 300 feet.

2. Casing and Cementing

a. The first casing string cemented into the salt stock shall have connections with seals approved by the commissioner.

b. Any cemented casing in contact with the helium stream must have welded connections with integrity verified by a method approved by the commissioner.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § XVII-3739

Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 482345 (9/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:4 et seq. and R.S. 30:23 et seq.