Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 632 - DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES › Division 10 - OIL AND GAS RULES › Section 632-010-0198 - Abandonment, Unlawful Abandonment, Suspension, Well Plugging

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) Proper
			 completion and decommission require adequate protection of the environment and
			 of aesthetic qualities of the surface in the area of operation.
(2) A well is properly completed for the
			 purposes of this chapter when the permittee demonstrates to the satisfaction of
			 the department that the well is capable of effective production or reinjection
			 and appropriate equipment exists for flow testing and monitoring temperature,
			 pressure or other subsurface conditions.
(3) A well is considered properly plugged and
			 decommissioned, for the purposes of this chapter, when the conditions of ORS
			 520.005 to
			 520.991 and these rules
			 are fulfilled and the person has shown to the satisfaction of the department
			 that all proper steps have been taken to protect groundwater and surface water
			 from contamination resulting from the drilling or drilling related activities
			 and to prevent the commingling of fluids between zones or to surface.
(4) All holes must be plugged and all related
			 disturbance must be reclaimed in accordance with these rules as soon as
			 practical. A hole may not be left unplugged for longer than 30 days from the
			 completion of drilling operations and prior to completion of the well without
			 prior written approval from the department.
(5) Suspension: The department may authorize
			 a permittee to suspend operations or remove equipment from a well for the
			 period stated in the department's written authorization, upon receipt of a
			 written request from the permittee showing good cause. The period of suspension
			 may be extended by the department, upon written request made before expiration
			 of the previously authorized suspension, accompanied by a statement by the
			 permittee showing good cause.
(6)
			 Decommission: Before any work is commenced to decommission a well drilled for
			 oil or gas, the permittee must give notice to the department of the intention
			 to decommission such well. If verbal notice is given but plugging is not
			 planned within 10 days, written notice must also be given within 10 days. The
			 notice must be given on forms supplied by the department and must contain the
			 present condition of the well, proposed work, and such other information as
			 reasonably may be required by the department.
(7) Unlawful Abandonment.
(a) After operations on or at a well have
			 been suspended with the approval of the department pursuant to section (2) of
			 this rule, if operations are not resumed within 30 days from the date specified
			 in the suspension approval, the well is considered unlawfully abandoned unless
			 the permittee has obtained a written extension from the department. Written
			 application showing good cause is required for the extension to be
			 considered.
(b) If a permittee has
			 not paid the annual permit renewal fee, or any other fees owed, within 60 days
			 after the anniversary date, the well is considered out of compliance, and the
			 permittee is subject to enforcement for violation of these rules and the
			 department may issue an order requiring the permittee to decommission the
			 well.
(c) If a well is left idle
			 for a period of 30 consecutive days without a written request for suspended
			 status, the well is considered unlawfully abandoned.
(d) Upon any unlawful abandonment as defined
			 in these rules, notice will be sent to the permittee and to the permittee's
			 surety informing them the department has determined the well unlawfully
			 abandoned.
(e) Any well unlawfully
			 abandoned may be plugged, suspended, or otherwise repaired by the department
			 using the bond or other financial security, and if the bond or other financial
			 security is not sufficient, the department may bring an action or proceeding as
			 authorized by ORS
			 520.175.