California Code of Regulations › Title 14 - Natural Resources › Division 2 - Department of Conservation › Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources › Subchapter 2 - Environmental Protection › Article 3 - Requirements › Section 1772.1 - Testing of Idle Wells

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a)
					 Operators shall test each of their idle wells as follows:
(1) Within 24 months of a well becoming an
					 idle well, the operator shall conduct a fluid-level test for all idle wells
					 using acoustical, mechanical, or other reliable methods, or other diagnostic
					 tests approved by the Supervisor to determine whether the fluid is above the
					 base of a USDW. The operator shall repeat testing at least once every 24 months
					 for as long as the well is an idle well, unless the operator demonstrates that
					 the wellbore does not penetrate a USDW, in which case fluid-level testing under
					 this section is not required. If the operator has not demonstrated the location
					 of the base of the USDW, then it shall be presumed that the fluid is above the
					 base of a USDW. After April 1, 2025, the operator shall conduct testing as
					 described in subdivision (a)(2) within 90 days of the first time that a
					 fluid-level test indicates that the fluid level in the well is, or is presumed
					 to be, above the base of a USDW. A well that became an idle well on or before
					 April 1, 2019, is not required to have a fluid-level test under this section
					 until April 1, 2021.
(2) Within 24
					 months of a well becoming an idle well, the operator shall conduct a casing
					 pressure test from the surface to a depth that is 100 feet measured depth above
					 the uppermost perforation, immediately above the casing shoe of the deepest
					 cemented casing, or immediately above the top of the landed liner, whichever is
					 highest. If the top of the landed liner is 100 feet or more above the cemented
					 casing shoe, then the pressure test shall be to a depth specified by the
					 Division on a case-by-case basis. The pressure test shall be conducted in
					 accordance with the parameters specified in Section
					 1772.1.1. If for any reason a well
					 cannot be safely and effectively tested as required, then the well shall be
					 deemed to have failed the pressure test. For as long as the well is an idle
					 well, the operator shall conduct subsequent testing of the well as follows:
(A) If the operator conducts a pressure test
					 at 200 psi above surface pressure, then the operator shall repeat testing
					 within 48 months.
(B) If the
					 operator conducts a pressure test at 500 psi above surface pressure, then the
					 operator shall repeat testing within 72 months.
(C) If the operator conducts a pressure test
					 at 1,000 psi above surface pressure, then the operator shall repeat testing
					 within 96 months.
(D) If the
					 operator conducts testing as specified under Section
					 1772.1.1(b), (c), or
					 (d), then the operator shall repeat testing
					 within 48 months.
(3)
					 Within eight years of a well becoming an idle well, the operator shall perform
					 a clean out tag on the well to determine the ability to reach the current
					 Division-approved depth of the well using either open-ended tubing or a gauge
					 ring demonstrated to the Division to be of the minimum diameter of the tubing
					 necessary to properly plug and abandon the well. The operator shall attempt to
					 reach the Division-approved depth, but shall at least reach 25 feet below the
					 uppermost perforation in the lowermost zone not abandoned under Sections
					 1723 and
					 1723.1. The operator shall repeat
					 this testing once every 48 months for as long as the well is an idle well, or
					 at a lesser frequency approved by the Division on a case-by-case basis based on
					 the successful results of previous testing and consideration of the factors
					 described in Section
					 1772.4. The Division may require
					 more frequent clean outs if known field or geologic conditions indicate risk to
					 the mechanical integrity of the well.