Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 020 - Environmental Quality, Dept. of › Sub-Agency 0006 - Land Quality - Coal › Chapter 18 - IN SITU MINING › Section 18-9 - Mechanical Integrity Testing (MIT) of Class III Injection, Production, and Monitor Wells

Current through July 13, 2024
(a) A schedule and
				methods for Mechanical Integrity Testing shall be approved by the Administrator
				and included in the permit or Research and Development Testing License
				application (per Section
				5(a)(v) of this Chapter)
				and shall constitute requirements of the permit. The schedule and methods shall
				meet the following requirements:
(i) The
				operator of a Class III injection or production well shall establish mechanical
				integrity as defined in Section
				1 of this Chapter for each well prior to
				commencing injection.
(ii) For
				demonstrating mechanical integrity as defined in Section
				1 of this Chapter:
(A) One of the following methods must be used
				to evaluate the absence of significant leaks in the casing, tubing, or packer:
(I) Following an initial pressure test,
				monitoring of the tubing-casing annulus pressure with sufficient frequency to
				be representative, as determined by the Administrator, while maintaining an
				annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface;
				or
(II) Pressure test with liquid
				or gas.
(B) One of the
				following methods must be used to determine the absence or significant fluid
				movement into any unauthorized zone or water-bearing strata through vertical
				channels adjacent to the injection bore:
(I)
				The results of a temperature or noise log (e.g. cement bond log); or
(II) Where the nature of the casing precludes
				the use of the logging technique prescribed above, sealing records
				demonstrating the presence of adequate sealing material to prevent such
				migration shall be provided; or
(III) Where the Administrator elects to rely
				on sealing records to demonstrate the absence of significant fluid movement,
				the monitoring program prescribed in Section 14 of this Chapter shall be
				designed to verify the absence of significant fluid movement.
(C) The Administrator may allow
				the operator to use a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those
				listed in subsection (A) above, if the alternate testing method is approved by
				the EPA. To obtain approval, the Administrator with concurrence of the
				Director, shall submit a written request to the EPA, which shall set forth the
				proposed test and all technical data supporting its use.
(iii) Maintenance of the mechanical integrity
				of each Class III well, which has not been plugged or converted as required by
				Section 10 of this Chapter, shall be demonstrated at least once every five
				years or on a schedule determined by the Administrator.
(iv) Before resuming injection into any Class
				III well that has been damaged by surface or subsurface activity or that has
				undergone an activity that may jeopardize the mechanical integrity of the well,
				such as the use of downhole cutting and underreaming tools, the operator must
				demonstrate the mechanical integrity of that well.
(v) If the Administrator determines that a
				Class III well lacks mechanical integrity, he or she shall give written notice
				of this determination to the operator of the well. Unless the Administrator
				requires immediate cessation, the operator shall cease injection into the well
				within 48 hours of receipt of the Administrator's determination. The
				Administrator may allow plugging of the well or require the operator to perform
				such additional construction, operation, monitoring, reporting, and corrective
				action as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones
				or onto the surface caused by the lack of mechanical integrity. The operator
				may resume injection upon written notification from the Administrator that the
				operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity.
(vi) Results of MIT testing shall be reported
				quarterly in an electronic format as prescribed by the Administrator in
				accordance with the requirements in Section 15 of this Chapter.