Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-2-4-.14

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

Section 400-2-4-.14 - Request To Classify Wells As Temporarily Abandoned Or Shut-In

(1)Temporary Abandonment Status.

(a) An operator may request that a well be placed in a temporarily abandoned status by submitting a written statement to the Supervisor describing the future utility and including the proposed temporary plugging procedures. 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, or for a period which shall be concurrent with the term on any suspension of obligation to produce (SOP) which may have been granted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as lessor. 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, stating the reasons for the request, which should include the future utility of the well, the formations and intervals to be utilized, and a proposed schedule for future operations. 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.

(b) Any well which is approved for temporary abandonment shall utilize fluids of sufficient density to contain the formation pressure between the plugs and shall be cemented as required for permanent abandonment in Rule 400-2-4-.11(2) except for sections (f) and (j). When casing extends above the waters floor, a mechanical bridge plug (retrievable or permanent) shall be placed between fifteen (15) and two hundred (200) feet below the waters floor or a cement plug of at least one hundred (100) feet in length shall be placed between fifteen (15) and two hundred (200) feet below the waters floor. The cement plug shall be verified by tagging and pressure testing.

(c) Other plugging and temporary abandonment procedures may be required by the Supervisor or Board. Additional safeguards and requirements may be imposed on the operator by the Supervisor or Board.

(d) The well location shall be maintained in accordance with Rule 400-2-4-.01, relating to Identification of Wells.

(2)Shut-in Status.

(a) 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 of the request by the Supervisor, the well will be placed in a shut-instatus for a period of not more than one (1) year, or for a period which shall be concurrent with the term on any suspension of obligation to produce (SOP) which may have been granted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as lessor. 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.

(b) Any well which is approved for shut-in status shall utilize fluids of sufficient density to contain the formation pressure between the plugs and shall be cemented as required for permanent abandonment in Rule 400-2-4-.11(2) except for subsections (f) and (j). When casing extends above the waters floor, a mechanical bridge plug (retrievable or permanent) shall be placed between fifteen (15) and two hundred (200) feet below the waters floor or a cement plug of at least one hundred (100) feet in length shall be placed between fifteen (15) and two hundred (200) feet below the waters floor. The cement plug shall be verified by tagging and pressure testing.

(c) Other plugging and shut-in procedures may be required by the Supervisor or Board. Additional safeguards and requirements may be imposed on the operator by the Supervisor or Board.

(d) The well location shall be maintained in accordance with Rule 400-2-3-.01, relating to Identification of Wells.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 400-2-4-.14

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.