216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-40-20-11.7

Current through October 15, 2024

Section 216-RICR-40-20-11.7 - Security, Records and Notifications

11.7.1Security

For the purpose of this Part, security requirements are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 39.71.

11.7.2Documents and Records Required at Field Stations

A. Each licensee or registrant shall maintain, for inspection by the Agency, the following documents and records for the specific devices and sources used at the field station:

1. Appropriate license, certificate of registration, or equivalent document;

2. Operating and emergency procedures;

3. Applicable Regulations;

4. Records of the latest survey instrument calibrations pursuant to §11.5.2 of this Part;

5. Records of the latest leak test results pursuant to §11.5.3 of this Part;

6. Records of quarterly inventories required pursuant to §11.5.4 of this Part;

7. Utilization records required pursuant to §11.5.5 of this Part;

8. Records of inspection and maintenance required pursuant to §11.5.7 of this Part;

9. Survey records required pursuant to §11.6.4 of this Part; and

10. Training records required pursuant to §11.6.1 of this Part.

11.7.3Documents and Records Required at Temporary Jobsites

A. Each licensee or registrant conducting operations at a temporary jobsite shall have the following documents and records available at that site for inspection by the Agency:

1. Operating and emergency procedures;

2. Survey records required pursuant to §11.6.4 of this Part; for the period of operation at the site;

3. Evidence of current calibration for the radiation survey instruments in use at the site;

4. When operating in Rhode Island under reciprocity, a copy of the appropriate license, certificate of registration, or equivalent document(s); and

5. Shipping papers for the transportation of radioactive material.

11.7.4Notification of Incidents, Abandonment, and Lost Sources

A. Notification of incidents and sources lost in other than downhole logging operations shall be made in accordance with appropriate provisions of §1.17.2 of this Subchapter.

B. Whenever a sealed source or device containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:

1. Monitor at the surface for the presence of radioactive contamination with a radiation survey instrument or logging tool during logging tool recovery operations; and

2. Notify the Agency immediately by telephone and subsequently, within thirty (30) days, by confirmatory letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured. This letter shall identify the well or other location, describe the magnitude and extent of the escape of radioactive material, assess the consequences of the rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

C. When it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the radioactive source will not be successful, the licensee shall:

1. Advise the well-operator of the regulations of the Agency regarding abandonment and an appropriate method of abandonment, which shall include:

a. The immobilization and sealing in place of the radioactive source with a cement plug,

b. A means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source (e.g., the setting of a whipstock or other deflection device), unless the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations, and

c. The mounting of a permanent identification plaque, at the surface of the well, containing the appropriate information required by §11.7.4 of this Part;

2. Notify the Agency, by telephone, of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source, and:

a. Obtain Agency approval to implement abandonment procedures; or

b. That the licensee implemented abandonment before receiving Agency approval because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety; and

3. File a written report with the Agency within thirty (30) days of the abandonment. The licensee shall send a copy of the report to the State agency(s) that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drilling operation. The report shall contain the following information:

a. Date of occurrence and a brief description of attempts to recover the source,

b. A description of the irretrievable radioactive source involved, including radionuclide, quantity, and chemical and physical form,

c. Surface location and identification of well,

d. Results of efforts to immobilize and set the source in place,

e. Depth of the radioactive source,

f. Depth of the top of the cement plug,

g. Depth of the well,

h. The immediate threat to public health and safety justification for implementing abandonment if prior Agency approval was not obtained in accordance with §11.7.4 of this Part.

i. Any other information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent identification plaque; and

j. The names of State and Federal agencies receiving a copy of this report.

D. Whenever a sealed source containing radioactive material is abandoned downhole, the licensee shall provide a permanent identification plaque for mounting at the surface of the well, unless the mounting of the plaque is not practical. This plaque shall:

1. Be at least seventeen (17) cm (seven inches (7")) square and three (3) mm (one eighth of one inch (1/8")) thick and be constructed of long-lasting material, such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or monel; and

2. Contain the following engraved on its face:

a. The word "CAUTION;"

b. The radiation symbol without the conventional color requirement;

c. The date of abandonment;

d. The name of the well operator or well owner;

e. The well name and well identification number(s) or other designation;

f. The sealed source(s) by radionuclide and quantity of activity;

g. The source depth and the depth to the top of the plug; and

h. An appropriate warning, depending on the specific circumstances of each abandonment. Appropriate warnings may include:

(1) "Do not drill below plug back depth;"

(2) "Do not enlarge casing;" or

(3) "Do not re-enter the hole," followed by the words, "before contacting the Rhode Island Radiation Control Agency."

E. The licensee shall immediately notify the Agency by telephone and subsequently by confirming letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that radioactive material has been lost in or to an underground potable aquifer. Such notice shall designate the well location and shall describe the magnitude and extent of loss of radioactive material, assess the consequences of such loss, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-40-20-11.7

Adopted effective 1/1/2019
Amended effective 5/25/2022