Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 100-199 - Environmental Protection General › Chapter NR 134 - Oil And Gas Exploration › Section NR 134.05 - Issuance

Current through June 24, 2024
Upon satisfactory completion of all conditions contained in
				  this chapter, the department shall issue an exploration license to the
				  explorer. Licenses shall be issued within 10 business days after the department
				  receives a complete application unless the application is for the immediately
				  forthcoming license year. If the application is for the immediately forthcoming
				  license year, the license shall be issued either within 10 business days after
				  the department receives a complete application or on the following July 1,
				  whichever is later. The issuance of an exploration license is subject to the
				  following conditions:
(1) No oil and
				gas exploration drillhole may be constructed unless the explorer receives prior
				written approval from the department, pursuant to s.
				NR
				134.09.
(2) Oil and gas exploration drillholes shall
				be abandoned as follows:
(a)
Permanent abandonment.
1. All
				oil, gas, brine, and fresh water shall be confined to the strata in which they
				occur by the use of mud-laden fluid, cement, other suitable material, or
				combination thereof. The amount, type, and kind of material and the method of
				placement shall be approved by the department. If a drillhole penetrates an
				aquifer under artesian pressure such that groundwater flows at the ground
				surface, the explorer shall contact the department immediately to obtain
				approval to implement the approved method of containment of such
				flow.
2. No person may begin
				permanent abandonment of any drillhole before first notifying and receiving
				approval from the department's regional office in Rhinelander. The explorer's
				notification shall include the date abandonment is to be commenced, by whom the
				drillhole is to be abandoned, and the equipment to be used in abandoning the
				drillhole. It shall also include the present condition of the drillhole, such
				as the sizes and lengths of all casing strings, the depths to the top of all
				principal formations, the depths where oil, gas, and water were encountered,
				and the proposed method of abandonment. The proposed method of abandonment
				shall specify the type and amount of material to be used, the depths at which
				bridges are to be set, the depths and lengths of cement plugs, and any special
				requirements which may be necessary for the proper abandonment of the
				drillhole.
3. The department's
				regional office in Rhinelander shall respond within 5 days of receipt of
				explorer's notification either:
a. Granting
				approval for the proposed abandonment procedure,
b. Prescribing a modified abandonment
				procedure, or
c. Requesting
				additional pertinent information.
4. Surface or drive pipe may not be pulled at
				any location unless it is determined by the department to be
				necessary.
5. A surface pipe or
				drive pipe abandoned with the hole shall be cut off at a point 4 feet below
				ground level and a cement plug, welded plate, or other seal approved by the
				department shall be placed at or near the top of the pipe.
6. The explorer shall be allowed to recover
				uncemented casing below surface pipe, which does not directly protect ground
				waters.