Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-1-4-.17

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 400-1-4-.17 - Request To Classify Wells As Temporarily Abandoned Or Shut-In

(1)Temporary Abandonment Status. An operator may request that a well be placed in a temporarily abandoned status by submitting a written request to the Supervisor describing its future utility. A well may be classified as a temporarily abandoned well upon a showing that the well has future utility. Upon approval of a request by the Supervisor, the well will be placed in a temporarily abandoned status for a period of not more than one (1) year. The operator must submit a subsequent request to the Supervisor prior to the end of such period in order to extend the temporarily abandoned status for an additional period of time of not more than one (1) year. Such request for an extension must be justified in writing and include a statement when the well is scheduled to be utilized. Upon approval of the request by the Supervisor, the temporarily abandoned status will be extended for a period of not more than one (1) year. Thereafter, the Board may, after notice and hearing, extend further the temporarily abandoned status for a well. The Supervisor or Board may require the operator to temporarily or partially plug the well, to verify the mechanical integrity of the casing in the well, and to implement a monitoring program before approving a request to classify a well as temporarily abandoned. The well location shall be maintained in accordance with Rule 400-1-4-.01, relating to Identification of Wells, and Rule 400-1-6-.10, relating to Site Maintenance. Additional safeguards and requirements may be imposed on the operator by the Supervisor or Board.

(2)Shut-in Status. An operator may request that a well be placed in a shut-in status by submitting a written statement to the Supervisor stating that the well is capable of producing hydrocarbons but must remain shut in until connected to a gathering system, pipeline or processing facility, or for some other reason. A request to classify a well as shut-in will not be considered until the official test results have been received by the Board on Form OGB-9, First Production or Retest Report. Such request must be submitted in writing to the Supervisor stating why the well is shut in and the date when production is expected to commence. Upon approval by the Supervisor, the well will be placed in a shut-in status for a period of not more than one (1) year. The operator must submit a subsequent request to the Supervisor prior to the end of such period in order to extend the shut-in status for an additional period of time of not more than one (1) year. Such request for an extension must describe the progress that has been made toward placing the well on production and when production is expected to commence. Upon approval of the request by the Supervisor, the shut-in status will be extended for a period of not more than one (1) year. Thereafter, the Board may, after notice and hearing, extend further the shut-in status for a well. The Supervisor or Board may require the operator to temporarily or partially plug the well, to verify the mechanical integrity of the casing in the well, and to implement a monitoring system before approving a request to classify a well as shut-in. The well location shall be maintained in accordance with Rule 400-1-4-.01, relating to Identification of Wells, and Rule 400-1-6-.10, relating to Site Maintenance. Additional safeguards and requirements may be imposed on the operator by the Supervisor or Board.

New Rule: Filed April 11, 2000; effective May 16, 2000. Amended: Filed September 22, 2009; effective October 27, 2009.

Author: Kirk McQuillan

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-17-1, etseq.