Illinois Administrative Code › Title 62 - MINING › Part 240 - THE ILLINOIS OIL AND GAS ACT › Subpart K - PLUGGING OF WELLS › Section 240.1110 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
For the purpose of this Subpart, the term:
"Cased Well" means a well in which production casing has been
				  set.
"Cement" means class A neat cement with a minimum weight of
				  14.5 pounds per
				  gallon, unless the cement contains additives that improve the ability of the
				  cement to provide necessary protection and that maintains a minimum compressive
				  strength of 500 PSI after 72 hours. If fly ash is used as an additive, the
				  maximum amount of fly ash allowable is 35% by weight of the total cement
				  mixture. Only Class C and Class F fly ash, as defined in ASTM standard C618
				  (Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Possolan for Use in
				  Concrete (2008)) (no later amendments or additions included), is allowable. The
				  generator of the fly ash must certify in writing to the cement blending company
				  that the fly ash meets those specifications. A copy of that certification is
				  required to be provided to the Department upon request. Also, 5% to 6% by
				  weight of cement grade bentonite gel is required to be used in the cement and
				  fly ash mixture. The gel is required to be cement grade and may be either wet
				  or dry blended with the cement and fly ash mixture. The cement and fly ash dry
				  mixture is required to be thoroughly and uniformly blended with either a
				  mechanical or pneumatic cement blender prior to the addition of any water. An
				  authorized representative of the cement blending company is required to certify
				  in writing that the dry mixture contains a maximum of 35% fly ash and has been
				  properly blended. The well cement contractor is required to provide the
				  certification to the Department's representative prior to use of the mixture
				  unless otherwise directed by the Department. If the Department determines or
				  has reason to believe, by testing or visual inspection, that the mixture has
				  not been properly blended, the mixture shall not be used until properly blended
				  and has been approved for use by a Department representative.
"Circulation Method" means placement of cement used in
				  plugging a well by circulating cement through a pipe set at a specified depth
				  in the well.
"Dump Bailer Method" means placement of cement used in
				  plugging a well by using a dump bailer on a wire line.
"Inactive Well" means a well that has ceased operation for a
				  period of up to 24 consecutive months.
"Mud" means a drilling mud with a minimum Marsh funnel
				  viscosity of 45 seconds. Mud may contain water (fresh or brine), bentonite,
				  attapulgite or other additives if they do not reduce the viscosity below 45
				  seconds.
"Plugging Fluid Waste" means plugging fluids, including
				  cement, that are generated from the well during plugging activities.
"Producing Lease" or "Producing Unit" means a lease or
				  waterflood/enhanced oil recovery unit that has produced and sold oil within the
				  preceding 12 month period.
"Uncased Well" means a well in which production casing has
				  not been set.