Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-43-01-.05

Current through October 22, 2024

Section 0400-43-01-.05 - HOLE ABANDONMENT

(1) Plugging Holes

All test holes which are to be abandoned shall be plugged in accordance with the procedures outlined herein.

(2) Plugging procedure for Middle Tennessee

(a) In all areas where exploration may encounter gas, set NX casing (31/2" OD) at least six (6) feet into bedrock. Procedure: fill test hole with cement, drive in casing, let set up and then drill out cement. Drill hole with gate valve at surface in order to control the test hole if gas is encountered.

(b) Based on industry experience, the following method has been found to be most satisfactory for protecting fresh water zones:

1. Place an effective plug at top of Knox formation and one (1) bag cement across unconformity=+ 40' plug.

2. Come up test hole to a depth of approximately two hundred (200) feet below lowest adjacent surface terrain. Place effective plugs every sixty (60) feet followed by cement all the way to surface.

(3) Plugging procedure for the Cumberland Plateau

Shallow test holes less than four hundred (400) feet deep or less than one thousand (1,000) feet from the outcrop not encountering underground water shall be plugged by filling or covering the test hole adequately with surface material as a safety precaution. Test holes more than four hundred (400) feet deep or more than one thousand (1,000) feet from the outcrop shall set effective plugs twenty-five (25) feet below each coal seam encountered and fill the test hole with cement to twenty-five (25) feet above the coal seam. Sufficient plugs must be efficiently placed in number and properly located as to prevent commingling of oil, gas, salt water, and fresh water from one zone to another.

(4) Plugging procedure for East Tennessee

Use six (6) to nine (9) bags of cement poured into the bottom of a test hole and extending upward at the rate of sixty (60) feet per bag of cement up to the chert matrix layer. This will bring the cemented test hole above any potential contaminated water in the East Tennessee District. Then one (1) bag of cement will be used to case the top of the test hole.

(5) Alternative plugging procedures for all areas

The entire test hole bore may be filled with suitable grout or cement from the bottom of the test hole to the ground surface or by other methods approved, in writing, by the Supervisor on a case by case basis.

(6) Plug and Abandon Report

A Plug and Abandon Report reporting all activity associated with the test hole performed under the permit must be filed with the Department for approval by the Supervisor within thirty (30) days after completing the activity unless permission has been obtained by the Supervisor to keep a test hole open.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-43-01-.05

Original rules filed January 4, 2017; effective 4/4/2017.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-201 et seq. and 60-1-501 et seq.