Alabama Administrative Code › Title 400 - STATE OIL AND GAS BOARD OF ALABAMA › GOVERNING SUBMERGED OFFSHORE LANDS OPERATIONS › Chapter 400-2-4 - DRILLING › Section 400-2-4-.10 - Recycling Or Disposal Of Tank Fluids

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) After a well is drilled, completed, or
				worked over, all fluids that remain in tanks shall be recycled or disposed of
				in accordance with this rule within thirty (30) days of completion, unless
				otherwise approved by the Supervisor. Prior to the subsurface disposal of tank
				fluids down the surface casing or first intermediate casing/production casing
				annulus, any oil that is present in the tank must be skimmed immediately after
				drilling operations cease and recycled or disposed of in accordance with
				appropriate permit(s) and regulations. If tank fluids are transported off
				location, except for disposal in an acceptable well, then these fluids should
				be disposed in a lawfully approved disposal facility, or recycled or disposed
				of in accordance with appropriate permit(s) and regulations.
(2) The following procedures shall be
				implemented regarding the subsurface disposal of tank fluids down the surface
				casing or first intermediate casing/production casing annulus. These procedures
				are applicable for subsurface disposal into the well on location or to an
				approved well.
(a) Approval must be obtained
				from the Supervisor prior to implementing subsurface disposal
				operations.
(b) Pressure testing
				for subsurface disposal of tank fluids shall be conducted and recorded in
				accordance with applicable requirements of Rule
				400-2-4-.09(1)(e),
				relating to Pressure Testing, and Rule
				400-2-4-.09(1)(f),
				relating to Recording Test Pressures.
(c) During disposal operations the injection
				pressure shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the mechanical integrity test
				pressure of the casing. A pressure relief valve, set to the authorized maximum
				disposal pressure, shall be installed. Verification of the pressure setting of
				the relief valve may be requested by the Supervisor.
(d) If surface or first intermediate casing
				is not set below the base of the underground source of drinking water (USDW)
				containing fluids of less than ten thousand (10,000) milligrams per liter total
				dissolved solids in the well to be used for subsurface disposal of tank fluids,
				then in addition to section (2)(a), (2)(b), (2)(c), and (2)(d) the following
				may apply:
1. The operator shall submit a
				schematic showing the downhole construction of such well and the approximate
				location and construction of all known water wells, core holes and oil and gas
				wells within a one-quarter (1/4) mile radius; and
2. The operator shall submit an affidavit
				certifying that the disposal fluids contain only materials that are exempt
				under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, that the chloride
				concentration of the disposal fluids does not exceed two thousand (2,000) parts
				per million (ppm), and that the pH of the disposal fluids ranges between 6.0
				and 9.0 standard units.
Author:
State Oil and Gas Board