Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62C - Division of Resource Management › Chapter 62C-29 - CONSERVATION OF OIL AND GAS: INJECTION WELLS, WELL WORKOVERS, AND ABANDONMENTS › Section 62C-29.009 - Plugging and Abandonment of Wells

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
Operators must obtain Department approval prior to commencing
				  plugging operations. To apply, operators may contact either the Chief or his
				  agent and request authorization to plug and abandon the well and restore the
				  site. Operators must specify exactly how the well will be plugged and the site
				  restored. Oral approval to plug and abandon shall be granted when the operator
				  meets the criteria defined in this section.
(1) Pulling of Casing from an Abandoned Hole.
				Before pulling casing from an abandoned hole the operator shall obtain approval
				from the Department for reentry into the well. To apply, the operator must
				submit a written request to the Department, Oil and Gas Program, 2600 Blair
				Stone Road, MS 3588, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400. The Department shall
				approve the request when the operator meets the criteria specified in this
				section. All requests shall contain an Organization Report (Rule
				 62C-25.008, F.A.C.), Performance
				Surety (Rule  62C-26.002, F.A.C.), well
				diagram, proposed procedure, and replugging schedule.
(2) Permanent Abandonment. The Department
				recognizes that no single plugging and restoration schedule can suffice for all
				wells. However, the following criteria will apply to most wells; others shall
				be handled in accordance with subseciton
				 62C-25.001(5),
				F.A.C.
(a) Uncased-hold plugs: Cement plugs
				shall be placed in uncased portions of wells as necessary to prevent the
				migration of formation fluids from one zone to another. These plugs shall be
				placed in accordance with the following criteria.
1. All nonproductive intervals containing
				shows of hydrocarbons shall be isolated from the wellbore by placing a minimum
				cement plug of 200 feet in length across the showing interval. Such plugs shall
				extend from 100 feet below to 100 feet above the show and shall be verified by
				either tagging with 15, 000 pounds of drill stem weight or pumping sufficient
				excess cement to guarantee proper placement.
2. All nonproductive intervals which are or
				have been productive within 5 miles of the well being plugged shall be isolated
				and verified in accordance with subparagraph (a)1., above.
3. All flows of saltwater requiring 12 or
				more pounds per gallon to control shall be isolated as in subparagraph (a)1.,
				above, and the plugs verified by tagging with 15, 000 pounds of drill stem
				weight.
4. Underground Sources of
				Drinking Water shall be isolated from adjoining saline zones by a minimum
				cement plug of 400 feet extending from 200 feet below to 200 feet above the
				base of the USDW. Such plugs shall be verified by tagging with sufficient drill
				stem weight to guarantee proper placement of the plug.
5. Freshwater zones shall be isolated from
				nonfreshwater zones as in subparagraph (a)4., above, and the plugs verified in
				a like manner.
6. All intervals
				between any of the above plugs may be filled with drilling
				fluid.