(a) The area of review is based on computational modeling that accounts for the physical and chemical properties of all phases of the injected carbon dioxide stream. - (i) The owner or operator will re-evaluate the area of review at least every two (2) years during the operational life of the facility, and then no less frequently than every five (5) years through the post-injection site care period until the geologic sequestration project is closed in accordance with department rules and regulations.
(b) The owner or operator of a Class VI well must prepare, maintain, and comply with a plan to delineate the area of review for a proposed geologic sequestration project, re-evaluate the delineation, and perform corrective action that meets the requirements of this section and is acceptable to the administrator. As a part of the permit application for approval by the administrator, the owner or operator must submit an area of review and corrective action plan that includes the following information: - (i) The method for delineating the area of review that meets the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, including the name, version and availability of the model to be used, assumptions that will be made, and the site characterization data on which the model will be based;
- (ii) A description of:
- (A) The monitoring and operational conditions that would warrant a re-evaluation of the area of review prior to the next scheduled re-evaluation as determined by the minimum fixed frequency established in paragraph (a)(i) of this section.
- (B) How monitoring and operational data (e.g., injection rate and pressure) will be used to evaluate the area of review; and
- (C) How corrective action will be conducted to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section, including:
- (I) What corrective action will be performed prior to injection;
- (II) What, if any, portions of the area of review will have corrective action addressed on a phased basis, and how the phasing will be determined;
- (III) How corrective action will be adjusted if there are changes in the area of review; and
- (IV) How site access will be ensured for future corrective action.
(c) Owners or operators of Class VI wells must perform the following actions to delineate the area of review, identify all wells that require corrective action, and perform corrective action on those wells: - (i) Predict, using computational modeling:
- (A) The projected lateral and vertical migration of the carbon dioxide plume and formation fluids in the subsurface from the commencement of injection activities until the plume movement ceases;
- (B) The pressure differentials, and demonstrate that pressure differentials sufficient to cause the movement of injected fluids or formation fluids into a USDW or to otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment will not be present (or for a fixed time period as determined by the administrator);
- (C) The potential need for brine removal, and;
- (D) The long-term effects of pressure buildup if brine is not removed.
- (ii) The modeling must:
- (A) Be based on:
- (I) Detailed geologic data available or collected to characterize the injection zone, confining zone and any additional zones; and
- (II) Anticipated operating data, including injection pressures, rates and total volumes over the proposed operational life of the facility.
- (B) Take into account any relevant geologic heterogeneities, data quality, and their possible impact on model predictions; and
- (C) Consider potential migration through faults, fractures, and artificial penetrations.
- (iii) Using methods approved by the administrator, identify all penetrations, including active and abandoned wells and underground mines, in the area of review that may penetrate the confining zone. Provide a description of each well's type, construction, date drilled, location, depth, record of plugging and/or completion, and any additional information the administrator may require; and
- (iv) Determine which abandoned wells in the area of review have been plugged in a manner that prevents the movement of:
- (A) Carbon dioxide that may endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment, or;
- (B) Displaced formation fluids that may endanger USDWs or otherwise threaten human health, safety, or the environment.
(d) Owners or operators of Class VI wells must perform corrective action on all wells in the area of review that are determined to need corrective action using methods necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into or between USDWs including use of materials compatible with the carbon dioxide stream, where appropriate.
(e) At a fixed frequency, not to exceed two (2) years during the operational life of the facility, or five (5) years during the post-injection site care period (until the geologic sequestration project is closed) as specified in the area of review and corrective action plan, or when monitoring and operational conditions warrant, owners or operators must: - (i) Re-evaluate the area of review in the same manner specified in paragraph (c)(i) of this section;
- (ii) Identify all wells in the re-evaluated area of review that require corrective action in the same manner specified in paragraph (c)(iv) of this section;
- (iii) Perform corrective action on wells requiring corrective action in the reevaluated area of review in the same manner specified in paragraph (d) of this section; and
- (iv) Submit an amended area of review and corrective action plan or demonstrate to the administrator through monitoring data and modeling results that no change to the area of review and corrective action plan is needed.
- (A) Any amendments to the area of review and corrective action plan must be approved by the administrator;
- (B) Any amendments to the area of review must be incorporated into the permit; and
- (C) Any amendments to the area of review are subject to the permit modification requirements of Section 4 of this chapter, as appropriate.
(f) The emergency and remedial response plan (as required by Section 18 ) and a demonstration of financial responsibility (as described by Section 19 ) must account for the entire area of review [as modified], regardless of whether or not corrective action in the area of review is phased.
(g) All modeling inputs and data used to support area of review reevaluations under paragraph (e) of this section shall be retained for 10 years.
020-24 Wyo. Code R. § 24-8