Kan. Admin. Regs. § 82-3-115 - Plugging methods and procedure for core and other stratigraphic holes; fees
The methods and procedure for plugging core and other stratigraphic holes shall be as follows:
(a) The owner or operator shall notify the
commission prior to the plugging of each core or stratigraphic hole pursuant to
the requirements of K.A.R. 82-3-113. An on-site inspection of the plugging
operation may be conducted by a representative of the commission.
(b) Each core or stratigraphic hole that
penetrates a regionally confined salt water aquifer shall be plugged so as to
prevent the migration of salt waters into fresh or usable water.
(1) As used in this regulation, a "regionally
confined salt water aquifer" means a salt water-bearing zone overlain by an
aquitard which, in area, is coextensive with the salt water zone and restricts
the movement of the salt water. Aquitard means a zone of low permeability.
(2) The hole shall be filled with
a cement plug from a point 20 feet below the base of the regionally confined
salt water aquifer to within 10 feet of the surface. The remaining hole shall
be filled to surface with coarse ground bentonite.
(c) Each core or stratigraphic hole that does
not penetrate a regionally confined salt water aquifer shall be plugged as
follows:
(1) A bridge and cement plug shall
be placed at the depth set forth as the base of the deepest fresh and usable
water. The cement plug shall be not less than 50 feet in length or shall be
placed to a point within 12 feet of the surface, whichever is the lesser
length. The remaining hole shall be filled to the surface with coarse ground
bentonite as defined in K.A.R. 82-3-101(a)(12);
(2) The interval or intervals between the
bottom of any hole and the plug or plugs set in any hole shall be filled with
an approved heavy mud-laden fluid of not less than 9.4 pounds per gallon.
(d) Each core or
stratigraphic hole that penetrates multiple usable or fresh water aquifers
regionally confined by consolidated rock or strata, as distinguished from
usable or fresh water zones in an unconsolidated stratum, shall be filled with
cement from the bottom of the hole to the top of the highest aquifer, if
identifiable and the remaining hole shall be filled with fine grain materials
to within 20 feet of the surface, then with impermeable material to within 12
feet of the surface and the top 12 feet of the hole filled with coarse ground
bentonite. If the top of the highest aquifer is not identifiable the hole shall
be filled with cement from the bottom to within 12 feet of the surface and the
remaining hole filled with coarse ground bentonite.
(e) Each core or stratigraphic hole that
penetrates a usable or fresh water zone resulting in an artesian flow to the
surface shall have a cement plug placed immediately above the top of the
artesian water zone. The plug shall not be less than 25 feet in length or shall
be placed to a point within 12 feet of the surface, whichever is the lesser
length. The remaining hole shall be filled with coarse ground bentonite.
(f) If circulation is lost in the
drilling of any hole and circulation cannot be regained, a cement plug shall be
placed immediately above the zone of lost circulation. The plug shall not be
less than 25 feet in length or shall be placed to a point within 12 feet of
surface, whichever is the lesser length. The remaining hole shall be filled
with coarse ground bentonite.
(g)
Alternative plugging methods may be specified by the district supervisor when
geological conditions warrant.
(h)
Alternative plugging materials may be substituted for coarse ground bentonite
upon approval by the Director of the Conservation Division. The Director shall
base approval or denial upon material specifications including experimental
results supplied by the manufacturer of such material and will keep a list
available of all materials approved. The approval process for alternative
plugging materials shall also be applicable to K.A.R. 82-3-115b.
(i) All core and stratigraphic holes shall be
plugged as soon after being used as is reasonably practicable. However, such
holes shall not remain unplugged for a period of more than 10 days after the
drilling of the hole. An extension may be granted by the district supervisor if
access to the hole is prevented by force of nature.
(j) A minimum fee of $5 shall be assessed for
plugging of core and other stratigraphic holes. The minimum fee for any hole
which penetrates a regionally confined salt water aquifer shall be assessed
pursuant to K.A.R. 82-3-118.
Notes
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No prior version found.