Texas Administrative Code › Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 331 - UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL › Subchapter D - STANDARDS FOR CLASS I WELLS OTHER THAN SALT CAVERN SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL WELLS › Section 331.63 - Operating Requirements

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a)
				  Applicability. Subsections (b) - (m) of this section apply to Class I wells
				  except for those Class I wells authorized to inject only nonhazardous
				  desalination concentrate or nonhazardous drinking water treatment residuals.
				  For Class I wells authorized to inject only nonhazardous desalination
				  concentrate or nonhazardous drinking water treatment residuals only subsections
				  (b) - (d) and (n) of this section apply.
(b) All Class I wells shall be operated to
				  prevent the movement of fluids that could result in the pollution of an
				  underground source of drinking water (USDW) and to prevent leaks from the well
				  into unauthorized zones.
(c) Except
				  during well stimulation, injection pressure at the wellhead shall not exceed a
				  maximum which shall be calculated so as to assure that the pressure in the
				  injection zone during injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate
				  existing fractures in the injection zone, initiate new fractures or propagate
				  existing fractures in the confining zone, or cause movement of fluid out of the
				  injection zone that may pollute USDWs or surface water.
(d) Injection between the outermost casing
				  protecting USDWs and fresh or surface water and the wellbore is
				  prohibited.
(e) The annulus between
				  the tubing and long string casing shall be filled with a non-corrosive or
				  corrosion-inhibiting fluid approved by the commission. The annulus pressure
				  shall be at least 100 psi greater than the injection tubing pressure to prevent
				  leaks from the well into unauthorized zones and to detect well malfunctions,
				  unless the executive director determines that such a requirement might harm the
				  integrity of the well.
(f) Monthly
				  average and maximum instantaneous rates of injection, and annual and monthly
				  volumes of injected fluids shall not exceed limits specified by the
				  commission.
(g) All gauges,
				  pressure sensing, and recording devices shall be tested and calibrated
				  quarterly.
(h) Any chemical or
				  physical characteristic of the injected fluids shall be maintained within
				  specified permit limits for the protection of the injection well, associated
				  facilities, and injection zone and to ensure proper operation of the
				  facility.
(i) The permittee shall
				  notify the executive director before commencing any workover operation. The
				  notification shall be in writing and shall include plans for the proposed work.
				  Approval by the executive director shall be obtained before the permittee may
				  begin the workover. The executive director may grant an exception to the prior
				  written notification and permission requirements when immediate action is
				  required to comply with subsection (b) of this section.
(j) Pressure control equipment shall be
				  installed and maintained during workovers which involve the removal of
				  tubing.
(k) For workovers or
				  testing operations on hazardous waste disposal wells, all hazardous fluids
				  shall be flushed from the wellbore with a nonhazardous fluid before conducting
				  any portion of the operations which would result in the exposure of the
				  hazardous wastes to the environment or the public.
(l) The owner or operator shall maintain
				  mechanical integrity of the injection well at all times.
(m) The owner or operator of an injection
				  well that has ceased operations for more than two years and is subject to
				  §
										305.154(a)(7)
				  of this title (relating to Standards) shall notify the executive director in
				  writing 30 days prior to resuming operation of the well.
(n) For Class I wells authorized to inject
				  only nonhazardous desalination concentrate or nonhazardous drinking water
				  treatment residuals, unless an alternative to a packer has been approved under
				  §
										331.62(b)(3)(A)
				  of this title (relating to Construction Standards), the annulus between the
				  tubing and the long string of casings shall be filled with a fluid approved by
				  the executive director and a pressure, also approved by the executive director,
				  shall be maintained on the annulus.