Texas Administrative Code › Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 331 - UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL › Subchapter N - STANDARDS FOR CLASS I BEDDED SALT CAVERN DISPOSAL WELLS › Section 331.245 - Bedded Salt Cavern Disposal Well Operating Requirements

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) General operating requirements.
(1) A maximum allowable operating pressure
				  and test pressure shall not exceed 0.8 pounds per square inch per foot of depth
				  measured at the higher elevation of either the long string casing seat or the
				  highest interior elevation of the cavern roof, but in no case shall it disrupt
				  the bond between the salt, cement, and the casing seat, initiate new fractures
				  or propagate existing fractures in the cavern or the confining zone, or cause
				  movement of fluid or waste out of the injection zone.
(2) A minimum operating pressure that is
				  protective of bedded salt cavern integrity shall be maintained.
(3) Injection between the outermost casing
				  protecting underground sources of drinking water (USDWs), and fresh or surface
				  water and the wellbore is prohibited.
(4) Unless an alternative to a packer has
				  been approved under §
											331.243(e)
				  of this title (relating to Bedded Salt Cavern Disposal Well Construction
				  Standards), the annulus between the tubing and long string casing shall be
				  filled with a noncorrosive fluid approved by the commission. The annulus
				  pressure, at all times that the well is in service, shall be at least 100
				  pounds per square inch greater than the injection tubing pressure, to detect
				  well malfunctions, unless the executive director determines that such a
				  requirement might harm the integrity of the well.
(5) Chemical and physical characteristics of
				  all injected materials and cavern contents shall protect and be compatible with
				  the disposal well, associated facilities, and injection zone, and shall ensure
				  proper operation of the facility to meet the performance standard of §
											331.242
				  of this title (relating to Bedded Salt Cavern Disposal Well Performance
				  Standard and Siting Requirements).
(6) All injection of waste into a bedded salt
				  cavern shall be performed through removable tubing(s) with a packer or fluid
				  seal to seal the annulus between the outer tubing and long string casing, near
				  the bottom of the long string casing.
(7) Unauthorized releases of cavern contents
				  to the atmosphere are prohibited.
(8) Before beginning waste disposal
				  operations, a blanket material shall:
(A) be
				  placed into the salt cavern to prevent unwanted leaching of the cavern
				  roof;
(B) consist of crude oil,
				  mineral oil, or other fluid possessing similar noncorrosive, nonsoluble,
				  low-density properties;
(C) be
				  sufficient to protect the integrity of the cement and formation bond at the
				  long string casing seat; and
(D) be
				  of sufficient volume to contact the entire cavern roof.
(9) The cavern roof and level of the blanket
				  material shall be monitored at least once every five years by running a density
				  interface survey or using an alternative method.
(10) If an automatic alarm or shutdown is
				  triggered, the owner or operator shall immediately investigate and identify as
				  expeditiously as possible the cause of the alarm or shutoff. If, upon such
				  investigation, the well or cavern appears to be lacking integrity, or if
				  monitoring required under §
											331.246(c)
				  of this title (relating to Bedded Salt Cavern and Well Monitoring and Testing
				  Requirements) otherwise indicates that the well or cavern lacks integrity, the
				  owner or operator shall:
(A) immediately
				  cease injection of waste unless authorized by the executive director to
				  continue or resume injection;
(B)
				  take all necessary steps to determine the presence or absence of a leak;
				  and
(C) notify the executive
				  director within 24 hours after the alarm or shutdown.
(11) If the loss of integrity is discovered
				  under paragraph (4) of this subsection or during periodic integrity testing, or
				  if unauthorized communication is established between bedded salt caverns, the
				  owner or operator shall:
(A) immediately cease
				  injection of waste;
(B) take all
				  steps required to determine whether there may have been a release of wastes
				  into any unauthorized zone;
(C)
				  notify the executive director within 24 hours after loss of mechanical
				  integrity is discovered;
(D) notify
				  the executive director when injection can be expected to resume; and
(E) restore and demonstrate well mechanical
				  integrity and/or cavern integrity before resuming injection of waste.
(12) Whenever the owner or
				  operator obtains evidence that there may have been a release of injected wastes
				  or brine into an unauthorized zone:
(A) the
				  owner or operator shall immediately cease injection of waste, and:
(i) notify the executive director within 24
				  hours of obtaining such evidence;
(ii) take all necessary steps to identify and
				  characterize the extent of any release;
(iii) propose a remediation plan for
				  executive director review and approval;
(iv) comply with any remediation plan
				  specified by the executive director;
(v) implement any remediation plan approved
				  by the executive director; and
(vi)
				  where such release is into a USDW or freshwater aquifer currently serving as a
				  water supply, within 24 hours notify the local health department, place a
				  notice in a newspaper of general circulation and notify by mail the adjacent
				  landowners.
(B) The
				  executive director may allow the operator to resume injection before completing
				  cleanup action if the owner or operator demonstrates that the injection
				  operation will not endanger USDWs or freshwater aquifers.
(13) All fluids displaced from the cavern
				  after injection of any waste shall be managed under applicable state and
				  federal regulations.