Okla. Admin. Code § 785:35-7-3

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 785:35-7-3 - Minimum standards for construction of marginal water wells

(a)General requirements.

(1)Intent to drill application and fee required.

(A) The well driller who shall desire to drill marginal water well shall submit an intent to drill application prior to construction upon printed forms which will be furnished by the Board. Marginal water wells shall not be constructed for domestic use unless a variance is granted by the Board.

(B) The well driller 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 Board.

(C) All supporting documentations along with the required fee as provided in 785:5-1-11 shall form a part of the intent to drill application.

(D) The intent to drill application shall be signed by the well driller conducting the well drilling activities.

(E) A marginal water well construction permit must be approved by the Board before the drilling of any marginal water well.

(F) Drilling of marginal water well shall be conducted in accordance with the marginal water well construction permit as approved and conditioned by the Board.

(G) While conducting well drilling activities the well driller shall have a copy of the approved construction permit on site and available for inspection upon request.

(2)Marginal water well construction without permit.

(A) The licensed marginal water well driller who encounters marginal water shall cease the operation, temporarily cap the well, and must take necessary measures to prevent comingling of the marginal water with fresh water.

(B) The well driller shall submit an intent to drill application to the Board as provided in subsection 1.

(C) The Board may revoke, suspended, or deny the renewal of the license or certification to any well driller who fails to comply with the rules and regulations.

(b)Minimum standards.

(1)Longevity of casing. The well driller must provide information that supports the longevity of the selected casing in response to potentially corrosive salt concentrations.

(2)Annular seals to prevent the contamination of fresh water. The annular space between the casing and borehole shall be sealed to prevent the commingling of fresh water with marginal water by using enough cement under pressure to completely fill and seal the annular space between the casing and borehole. Unless an alternate casing and/or cementing procedure is authorized by the Board, the well casing shall be cemented in this manner from 50 feet below the deepest fresh groundwater zone or aquifer encountered while drilling to land surface or immediately below the junction of the pitless adapter.

(3)Well schematic. The marginal water well intent to drill application must provide well schematic illustrating proposed construction depths, dimensions, materials, and methods as well as the target aquifer, stratigraphy and hydrogeology to be encountered during drilling.

(4)Sealing off formations. Cement must be allowed to set a minimum of forty-eight (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 marginal water well intent to drill application 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 Board. Sealing off of the formations shall be checked by a method acceptable to the Board.

(5)Cementing service reports. The well driller shall provide any cementing service reports with the submission of the well log within 30 days of completion. The Board may require preliminary information as it becomes available.

(6)Cement bond logging. The well driller shall provide any cement bond logging results created on each well with the submission of the well log within thirty (30) days of completion. The Board may require results of cement bond logging within twenty-four (24) hours of completion.

(7)Mud logging and Geophysical logging. The well driller shall provide any mud logging and geophysical logging reports created on each well with the submission of the well log within thirty (30) days of completion. The Board may require results of geophysical logging within twenty-four (24) hours of completion. The Board may require periodic mud logging or lithologic logging during the course of the project.

(8)Deleterious substances. The well driller shall contain, dispose of, or remove any deleterious substances from marginal water well activities according to the state's waste management standards.

(9)Alternate designs. In the event that an alternate design is required, the well driller shall submit written notification to the Board. The Board may approve or deny the alternate design within 48 hours provided it is demonstrated that the proposed construction will prevent comingling of fresh, marginal, and/or salt water.

Okla. Admin. Code § 785:35-7-3

Added at 11 Ok Reg 2947, eff 6-13-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 2703, eff 7-1-95; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2498, eff 6-27-02; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 987, eff 7-1-11

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 22, August 1, 2019, eff. 8/11/2019