Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 020 - Environmental Quality, Dept. of › Sub-Agency 0007 - Land Quality - Non Coal › Chapter 11 - IN SITU MINING › Section 11-9 - Mechanical Integrity Testing 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 License application (per
				Section
				5(a)(xvi) 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 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 tubingcasing 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 of 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 techniques 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 by Section
				16 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) The operator shall demonstrate the
				mechanical integrity of each Class III and Production well at least once every
				five years, or on a schedule approved by the Administrator.
(iv) Before resuming operation of any 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 under reaming tools, the operator must
				demonstrate the mechanical integrity of that well, or with the approval of the
				administrator, demonstrate the ability to prevent the movement of fluid into
				unauthorized zones or onto the surface.
(v) If the Administrator determines that a
				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, or production
				from 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 or production upon written
				notification from the Administrator that the operator has demonstrated
				mechanical integrity.
(vi) The
				operator shall report the results of mechanical integrity testing shall be
				reported quarterly in an electronic format acceptable to the Administrator in
				accordance with the requirements in Section
				15 of this Chapter.