Section 43-02-03-27.1 - [Effective until 4/1/2024] Hydraulic fracture stimulation1. Prior to performing any hydraulic fracture stimulation, including refracs, through a frac string run inside the intermediate casing string: a. The frac string must be either stung into a liner with the hanger/packer located in cemented casing or run with a packer set at a minimum depth of one hundred feet [30.48 meters] below the top of cement or a minimum depth of one hundred feet [30.48 meters] below the top of the Inyan Kara formation, whichever is deeper.b. The intermediate casing-frac string annulus must be pressurized and monitored during frac operations. Prior to performing any refrac, a casing evaluation tool must be run to verify adequate wall thickness of the intermediate casing.c. An adequately sized, function tested pressure relief valve must be utilized on the treating lines from the pumps to the wellhead, with suitable check valves to limit the volume of flowback fluid should the relief valve open. The relief valve must be set to limit line pressure to no more than eighty-five percent of the internal yield pressure of the frac string.d. An adequately sized, function tested pressure relief valve and an adequate sized diversion line must be utilized to divert flow from the intermediate casing to a pit or containment vessel in case of frac string failure. The relief valve must be set to limit annular pressure to no more than eighty-five percent of the lowest internal yield pressure of the intermediate casing string or no greater than the pressure test on the intermediate casing, less one hundred pounds per square inch gauge, whichever is less.e. The surface casing must be fully open and connected to a diversion line rigged to a pit or containment vessel.f. An adequately sized, function tested remote operated frac valve must be utilized at a location on the christmas tree that provides isolation of the well bore from the treating line and must be remotely operated from the edge of the location or other safe distance.g. Notify the director within twenty-four hours after the commencement of hydraulic fracture stimulation operations, in an electronic format approved by the director, identifying the subject well and verifying a frac string was run in the well.h. Within sixty days after the hydraulic fracture stimulation is performed, the owner, operator, or service company shall post on the fracfocus chemical disclosure registry all elements made viewable by the fracfocus website.2. Prior to performing any hydraulic fracture stimulation, including refracs, through an intermediate casing string: a. The maximum treating pressure shall be no greater than eighty-five percent of the American petroleum institute rating of the affected intermediate casing string.b. Casing evaluation tools to verify adequate wall thickness of any affected intermediate casing string shall be run from the wellhead to a depth as close as practicable to one hundred feet [30.48 meters] above the completion formation and a visual inspection with photographs shall be made of the top joint of the intermediate casing and the wellhead flange. The visual inspection and photograph requirement may be waived by the director for good cause. If the casing evaluation tool or visual inspection indicates wall thickness is below the American petroleum institute minimum or a lighter weight of intermediate casing than the well design called for, calculations must be made to determine the reduced pressure rating. If the reduced pressure rating is less than the anticipated treating pressure, a frac string shall be run inside the intermediate casing.
c. Cement evaluation tools to verify adequate cementing of each intermediate casing string shall be run from the wellhead to a depth as close as practicable to one hundred feet [30.48 meters] above the completion formation.(1) If the cement evaluation tool indicates defective casing or cementing, a frac string shall be run inside the intermediate casing.(2) If the cement evaluation tool indicates the intermediate casing string cemented in the well fails to satisfy section 43-02-03-21, a frac string shall be run inside the intermediate casing.d. Each affected intermediate casing string and the wellhead must be pressure tested for at least thirty minutes with less than five percent loss to a pressure equal to or in excess of the maximum frac design pressure.e. If the pressure rating of the wellhead does not exceed the maximum frac design pressure, a wellhead and blowout preventer protection system must be utilized during the frac.f. An adequately sized, function tested pressure relief valve must be utilized on the treating lines from the pumps to the wellhead, with suitable check valves to limit the volume of flowback fluid should be the relief valve open. The relief valve must be set to limit line pressure to no greater than the test pressure of the intermediate casing, less one hundred pounds per square inch [689.48 kilopascals].g. The surface casing value must be fully open and connected to a diversion line rigged to a pit or containment vessel.h. An adequately sized, function tested remote operated frac valve must be utilized between the treating line and the wellhead.i. Notify the director within twenty-four hours after the commencement of hydraulic fracture stimulation operations, in an electronic format approved by the director, identifying the subject well and verifying all logs and pressure tests have been performed as required.j. Within sixty days after the hydraulic fracture stimulation is performed, the owner, operator, or service company shall post on the fracfocus chemical disclosure registry all elements made viewable by the fracfocus website.3. If during the stimulation, the pressure in the intermediate casing-surface casing annulus exceeds three hundred fifty pounds per square inch [2413 kilopascals] gauge, the owner or operator shall verbally notify the director as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four hours following the incident.N.D. Admin Code 43-02-03-27.1
Amended by Administrative Rules Supplement 2014-352, April 2014, effective April 1, 2014. .Amended by Administrative Rules Supplement 376, April 2020, effective 4/1/2020.Amended by Administrative Rules Supplement 2022-384, April 2022, effective 4/1/2022.General Authority: NDCC 38-08-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 38-08-04