N.M. Admin. Code § 19.15.35.12

Current through Register Vol. 36, No. 1, January 14, 2025

Section 19.15.35.12 - DOWNHOLE DISPOSAL IN WELLS TO BE PLUGGED AND ABANDONED

A. The division shall consider proposals from an operator for downhole disposal of regulated NORM in wells that are to be plugged and abandoned, provided the operator performs the plugging and abandonment procedures in a manner that protects the environment, public health and fresh waters and in accordance with division rules pertaining to well plugging and abandonment.

B. The applicant shall complete form C-103 and submit it to the division for approval.

(1) In addition to all other information required for C-103 submittal, the form shall specifically state that the applicant will place regulated NORM in the well bore. The abandonment procedure contained in the application shall identify depths at which the operator will place regulated NORM, radiation survey results conducted on the regulated NORM to be disposed, the procedure the operator will use to place the regulated NORM in the well bore and the specific form of regulated NORM the operator will place in the well bore (e.g. scale, pipe, dirt, etc.).

(2) The applicant shall address abnormally pressured zones in the well bore that might result in migration of the regulated NORM after it has been placed in the plugged and abandoned well in the application.

(3) The applicant shall send notice of the submittal of an application to dispose of regulated NORM in a plugged and abandoned well to the surface owner and the mineral lessor. The director may require additional notification as described in 19.15.35.14 NMAC.

C. The operator shall not commence work until the division has approved the application for regulated NORM disposal in a plugged and abandoned well.

D. The operator shall comply with the following requirements when disposing of the regulated NORM in a plugged and abandoned well.

(1) The operator shall follow plugging and abandonment procedures the division routinely requires unless the procedures are specifically superseded at the division's instruction to facilitate the regulated NORM disposal.

(2) The operator shall color-dye the cement plug located directly above the regulated NORM and the surface plug with red iron oxide.

(3) The operator shall dispose of regulated NORM at a depth of at least 100 feet below the lower most known underground source of drinking water zone. There must be evidence that there is cement across the known underground source of drinking water zones.

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.15.35.12

19.15.35.12 NMAC - Rp, 19.15.9.714 NMAC, 12/1/08