West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 38 - Mining And Reclamation › Title 38 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MINING AND RECLAMATION › Series 38-23 - Coalbed Methane Wells (See 1st Public Hearing 07/13/95) › Section 38-23-5 - Casing Requirements - Coalbed Methane Wells

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
5.1. Fresh Water Casing - For each coalbed
				methane well, the operator shall run and permanently cement a string of casing
				through the fresh water bearing strata. The fresh water protective casing shall
				extend at least thirty (30) feet below the deepest fresh water horizon (that
				being the deepest horizon which will replenish itself and from which fresh
				water or usable water for household, domestic, industrial, agricultural, or
				public use may be economically and feasibly recovered) and shall have cement
				circulated in the annular space outside the casing. The volume of cement needed
				shall be calculated using approved engineering methods to assure the return of
				the cement to the surface. In the event cement does not return to the surface,
				the district Inspector shall be notified. If the top of cement cannot be
				located using sound engineering practices approved by the Chief or his
				authorized representative, then an electric log or similar technology approved
				by the Chief shall be used. Sound engineering practice approved by the Chief or
				his authorized representative shall be used to fill the annular space back to
				the surface. Requests to approve methods, other than pre-approved practices
				shall be acted upon by the Chief or his authorized representative within twelve
				(12) hours of actual notice to the Chief or his authorized representative,
				otherwise the request will be deemed approved. In no case shall the fresh water
				casing penetrate salt water or extend below sea level. There shall be no oil
				and gas production through the fresh water casing for new wells or the
				redrilling of existing wells permitted on or after August 1, 1993. Variances
				from the requirements of this section shall be granted on a site specific or
				area basis in accordance with Section 16 of this rule.
5.2. Casing When Drilling Encounters Coal
				Seams.
5.2.1. Coal Protection String - Except
				for those coalbeds which the coalbed methane operator proposes to complete for
				production or produce from, or where a ventilation hole is being converted to a
				well, when a well penetrates one or more workable coalbeds, the well operator
				shall run and cement a string of casing in the hole through the workable
				coalbed or beds in such a manner as will exclude all oil, gas or gas pressure
				from such coalbed or beds, except such oil, gas or gas pressure as may be
				naturally present in each coal seam. Such string of casing shall have cement
				circulated in the annular space outside the casing. The casing shall either be
				cemented to the surface or at least into the fresh water casing to at least 100
				feet above the uppermost workable coal seam. If the casing is not cemented to
				the surface, the operator will demonstrate that the casing has been cemented to
				100 feet above the uppermost workable coal seam. The volume of cement needed
				shall be calculated using approved methods to assure cementing to the required
				level. In the event cement does not return to the required level, every
				reasonable attempt will be made to fill the annular space by introducing cement
				from the surface.
The fresh water casing may be extended through the workable
				  coal seams and also serve as the coal protection string provided the casing is
				  cemented as required in Section 5.1 through the fresh water horizons and
				  Section 5.2 through the workable coal seams and Section 23.2.2 regarding when a
				  worked-out coal seam is encountered.
5.2.2. When Drilling Encounters a Mined Zone
				- Except where the horizon of a previously mined coalbed and its associated gob
				are expected to be the producing zone, when a coalbed methane well is drilled
				through the horizon of a coalbed from which the coal has been removed, the hole
				shall be drilled at least thirty feet below the coalbed, of a size sufficient
				to permit the placing of a liner which shall start not less than twenty feet
				below the coal seam and extend not less than 20 feet above the void created by
				the mined area. This liner, which may be welded to the casing being used, shall
				be centered in the borehole, and the space between the liner and casing shall
				be filled with cement as they are lowered into the hole. Cement shall be placed
				in the bottom of the hole to a depth of at least twenty feet to form a sealed
				seat for both liner and casing.
Following the setting of the liner, drilling shall proceed in
				  the manner provided in Section 5.2.1. Should it be necessary to drill through
				  the horizon of two or more workable coalbeds from which the coal has been
				  removed, such liner shall be started not less than twenty feet below the lowest
				  such horizon penetrated and shall extend to a point not less than twenty feet
				  above the highest such horizon, provided that, where two or more horizons from
				  which the coal has been removed are sufficiently far apart, separate liners for
				  each horizon or combination of horizons from which coal has been removed may be
				  used. In any event, each segment of liner shall start not less than 20 feet
				  below the lowest such horizon penetrated and extend to a point not less than 20
				  feet above the highest such horizon.