Alabama Administrative Code › Title 400 - STATE OIL AND GAS BOARD OF ALABAMA › GOVERNING ONSHORE LANDS OPERATIONS › Chapter 400-1-9 - SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT › Section 400-1-9-.04 - Hydraulic Fracturing

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1)
				Each formation shall be hydraulically fractured so as not to cause irreparable
				damage to the oil and gas well, or to adversely impact any fresh water supply
				well or any fresh water resources.
(2) A proposal to fracture a formation shall
				be accompanied by a check or bank draft in the amount of two-hundred fifty
				dollars ($250) payable to the State Treasurer, State of Alabama, which sum is
				fixed as the fee for each proposal; however, in no case shall the fee paid for
				concurrent hydraulic fracturing operations in a single well exceed
				seven-hundred fifty dollars ($750) regardless how many formations are
				hydraulically fractured. Where the proposal to hydraulically fracture is
				associated with a horizontal well, then the fee shall be two-hundred fifty
				dollars ($250) for each segment or stage of the horizontal well in which a
				hydraulic fracturing operation is conducted; however, in no case shall the
				amount be over seven-hundred fifty dollars ($750) in connection with concurrent
				hydraulic fracturing operations in a single well. The fee shall be deposited
				into the Alabama State Oil and Gas Board Special Fund pursuant to Section
				9-17-24 of the
Code of
				Ala. 1975
.
(3) A
				formation shall not be hydraulically fractured until approval of the Supervisor
				is obtained. In order to receive approval from the Supervisor, a proposal to
				fracture shall include the following:
(a) a
				wellbore schematic showing the specifications of the casing and cementing
				program, including pressure tests and the depth interval(s) and name(s) of
				formation(s) to be fractured;
(b)
				geophysical and cement bond logs;
(c) a program describing the proposed
				fracturing operation. Information to be considered shall include, but not be
				limited to, the maximum length and orientation of the fracture(s) to be
				propagated and the type fluids and materials that are to be utilized. Programs
				to hydraulically fracture shall be prepared by a person, or entity, familiar
				with the technicalities of fracturing formations in the area in which
				fracturing operations are proposed. The program filed with the Board shall
				identify the person, or entity, that has prepared the fracturing program and be
				accompanied by a letter from the operator stating its intended application.
				Recurrent filing of a fracturing program will not be necessary if such program
				has previously been submitted to the Supervisor and is directly applicable to
				the fracturing proposal under consideration. Modification(s) to a fracturing
				program that would alter the maximum length and orientation of the fracture(s)
				to be propagated, or the type fluids and material to be utilized, shall be
				submitted to the Supervisor prior to its implementation in the field;
(d) an inventory prepared by the operator
				identifying all fresh water supply wells within a one quarter- (1/4-) mile
				radius of the well to be fractured. Records of fresh water supply wells shall
				be used by the operator in delineating the construction and completion depths
				of such supply wells. The records of the Geological Survey of Alabama (GSA)
				shall be the primary source of information used in this evaluation process.
				Additionally, the operator shall conduct a field reconnaissance within a one
				quarter- (1/4-) mile radius of the subject well to determine the location of
				any additional fresh water supply wells that may not be identified in the
				previously described documents. If possible, construction information for such
				additional fresh water supply wells must be obtained. Consideration shall be
				given to the records of all fresh water supply wells available and the operator
				shall report the results of his findings to the Supervisor. Fracturing
				operations shall not be conducted if it is determined that any fresh water
				resources or any fresh water supply well located within a one quarter- (1/4-)
				mile radius of the subject well could be adversely impacted as a result of the
				fracturing operation; and
(e) a
				statement by the operator affirming to the Supervisor, in writing, that the
				well construction and pressure tests results, and geophysical and cement bond
				logs, have been evaluated and that the results of this evaluation indicate that
				the proposed hydraulic fracturing operations can be conducted without adverse
				impact on any fresh water supply wells or any fresh water resources.
In reviewing a proposal for hydraulic fracturing, the
				  Supervisor shall consider:
1. whether
				the proposed hydraulic fracturing operation ensures that the formation to be
				fractured lies beneath an impervious stratum;
2. whether the fracture fluid to be utilized
				will remain in the formation to be fractured; and
3. whether the casing is effectively cemented
				in place.