020-11 Wyo. Code R. §§ 11-9 - Mechanical Integrity Testing of Class III Injection, Production, and Monitor Wells
(a) A schedule and
methods for mechanical integrity testing shall be approved by the Administrator
and included in the permit or Research and Development License application (per
Section
5(a)(xvi) of this Chapter)
and shall constitute requirements of the permit. The schedule and methods shall
meet the following requirements:
(i) The
operator of a Class III or Production well shall establish mechanical integrity
as defined in Section
1 of this Chapter for each well prior to
commencing injection.
(ii) For
demonstrating mechanical integrity as defined in Section
1 of this Chapter:
(A) One of the following methods must be used
to evaluate the absence of significant leaks in the casing, tubing or packer:
(I) Following an initial pressure test,
monitoring of the tubingcasing annulus pressure with sufficient frequency to be
representative, as determined by the Administrator, while maintaining an
annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface;
or
(II) Pressure test with liquid
or gas.
(B) One of the
following methods must be used to determine the absence of significant fluid
movement into any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata through vertical
channels adjacent to the injection bore:
(I)
The results of a temperature or noise log (e.g., cement bond log); or
(II) Where the nature of the casing precludes
the use of the logging techniques prescribed above, sealing records
demonstrating the presence of adequate sealing material to prevent such
migration shall be provided; or
(III) Where the Administrator elects to rely
on sealing records to demonstrate the absence of significant fluid movement,
the monitoring program prescribed by Section
16 of this Chapter shall be designed to
verify the absence of significant fluid movement.
(C) The Administrator may allow the operator
to use a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those listed in
subsection (A) above, if the alternate testing method is approved by the EPA.
To obtain approval, the Administrator with concurrence of the Director shall
submit a written request to the EPA, which shall set forth the proposed test
and all technical data supporting its use.
(iii) The operator shall demonstrate the
mechanical integrity of each Class III and Production well at least once every
five years, or on a schedule approved by the Administrator.
(iv) Before resuming operation of any well
that has been damaged by surface or subsurface activity or that has undergone
an activity that may jeopardize the mechanical integrity of the well, such as
the use of downhole cutting and under reaming tools, the operator must
demonstrate the mechanical integrity of that well, or with the approval of the
administrator, demonstrate the ability to prevent the movement of fluid into
unauthorized zones or onto the surface.
(v) If the Administrator determines that a
well lacks mechanical integrity, he or she shall give written notice of this
determination to the operator of the well. Unless the Administrator requires
immediate cessation, the operator shall cease injection into, or production
from the well within 48 hours of receipt of the Administrator's determination.
The Administrator may allow plugging of the well or require the operator to
perform such additional construction, operation, monitoring, reporting, and
corrective action as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into
unauthorized zones or onto the surface caused by the lack of mechanical
integrity. The operator may resume injection or production upon written
notification from the Administrator that the operator has demonstrated
mechanical integrity.
(vi) The
operator shall report the results of mechanical integrity testing shall be
reported quarterly in an electronic format acceptable to the Administrator in
accordance with the requirements in Section
15 of this Chapter.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.