N.M. Admin. Code § 19.27.4.33

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 19.27.4.33 - WELL DRILLING REQUIREMENTS FOR DEEP WELLS IN NON-POTABLE AQUIFERS

Deep non-potable wells are wells administered under Article 12, Chapter 72-12-25 through Chapter 72-12-28 NMSA, and are defined as wells drilled or recompleted into an aquifer, the top of which aquifer is at a depth of 2500 feet or more below the ground surface at any location at which a well is drilled and which aquifer contains only non-potable water. Non-potable water means water containing greater than or equal to 1,000 part per million (or milligrams per liter) total dissolved solids (TDS > 1,000 mg/L). A well driller shall ensure that well drilling activities associated with the drilling of deep non-potable wells are made in accordance with 19.27.4.29 NMAC and 19.27.4.31 NMAC and the following:

A.Deep non-potable well plan of operations: Before conducting the drilling of a deep non-potable well, a deep non-potable well plan of operations describing the proposed work shall be provided on a form prescribed by the state engineer. The deep non-potable well plan of operations shall provide information on the well design and materials to be used in the well construction, including the cementing and testing procedures, and any other pertinent data required by the state engineer. If the materials or cementing and testing procedures are not provided for in these rules and regulations, then the deep non-potable well plan of operations must provide documentation to support their use. The deep non-potable well plan of operations shall be signed by the well driller conducting the well drilling activities. A deep non-potable well plan of operations must be approved by the state engineer before the drilling of any deep non-potable well. Drilling of a deep non-potable well shall be conducted in accordance with the deep non-potable well plan of operations as approved and conditioned by the state engineer. While conducting well drilling activities the well driller shall have a copy of the approved permit and deep non-potable well plan of operations on site and available for inspection upon request.

B.Longevity of casing: The deep non-potable well plan of operations required under subsection A must provide information that supports the longevity of the selected casing in response to potentially corrosive salt concentrations. Deep non-potable wells must use centralizers and H-55, J-55 grade casing equivalent or better.

C.Annular seals to prevent the contamination of potable water: Wells where non-potable, contaminated, or polluted water is anticipated or encountered at any depth shall have the well annulus sealed and the well properly screened to prevent the commingling of the undesirable water with any potable or uncontaminated water. The use of salt-tolerant sealing materials may be required by the state engineer in wells where highly mineralized water is anticipated or encountered.

D.Well schematic: The deep non-potable well plan of operations required under subsection A must provide a well schematic illustrating proposed construction depths, dimensions, materials, and methods as well as the target aquifer, stratigraphy and hydrogeology to be encountered during drilling.

E.Sealing off formations: Cement must be allowed to set a minimum of 48 hours before well drilling is resumed. Shorter set times may be requested if approved alternate sealants or accelerants are used. If shorter set times are requested, documentation shall be provided in the deep non-potable well plan of operations substantiating the appropriate cement curing time to meet the compressive strengths necessary, consistent with anticipated shut-in pressures. Shorter set times shall not be permitted unless prior approval is granted by the state engineer. Sealing off of the formations shall be checked by a method acceptable to the state engineer.

F.Cementing service reports: The well driller shall provide any cementing service reports with the submission of the well log within 30 days. The state engineer may require preliminary information as it becomes available.

G.Cement bond logging: The well driller shall provide the results of any cement bond logging conducted with the submission of the well log within 30 days. The state engineer may require results of cement bond logging within 24 hours of completion.

H.Mud logging and Geophysical logging: The well driller shall provide any mud logging and geophysical logging reports created with the submission of the well log within 30 days. The state engineer may require results of geophysical logging within 24 hours of completion. The state engineer may require periodic mud logging or lithologic logging during the course of the project.

I.Drill cuttings or core: The well driller shall submit copies of the well record and geophysical logs, and representative samples of drill cuttings or core collected during drilling of any deep non-potable well to the New Mexico bureau of geology and mineral resources for archiving in the bureau's library of subsurface data.

J.Specialized Drilling Equipment: The deep non-potable well plan of operations required under Subsection A of 19.27.4.33 NMAC must contain a request from the well driller to use of any specialized drilling equipment for the well construction. Specialized drilling equipment may not be used for well construction unless prior approval is granted by the state engineer.

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.27.4.33

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVIII, Issue 11, June 13, 2017, eff. 6/30/2017