Section 13-183-82 - General requirements(a) The operator of any well shall promptly plug and abandon any well that is deserted, not in use, is deemed not to be potentially useful, is wasting geothermal or ground water resources, or is irreparably damaged. No well shall be plugged and abandoned until the manner and method of plugging have been approved or prescribed by the chairperson.
(b) Before any work is commenced to abandon any well, notice shall be given by the operator to the chairperson, which notice shall show the condition of the well and the proposed method of abandonment. Unless otherwise specified in the plan of operation, no well may be abandoned except as prescribed herein. The operator of a lease shall promptly plug and abandon any well that is deserted or not used or deemed useful by the board. No well capable of producing in commercial quantities may be abandoned until receipt of written approval by the chairperson. Equipment shall be removed and premises at the well site shall be restored as near as reasonably possible to its original condition immediately after plugging operations are completed on any well except as otherwise authorized by the chairperson. When drilling operations have been temporarily suspended drilling equipment shall not be removed from any well without taking adequate measures to close the well and protect subsurface resources. Failure of lessee to comply with any requirements under this rule shall authorize the chairperson to cause the work to be performed at the expense of lessee and the surety.(c) Good quality, heavy drilling fluid approved by the chairperson shall be used to replace any water in the hole and to fill all portions of the hole not plugged with cement.(d) Subsequent to plugging and abandonment operations in the hole, casing shall be cut off at least six feet below the surface of the ground, all concrete cellars and other structures shall be removed, and the surface location restored, as near as practicable, to original conditions.(e) A history of the well shall be filed within sixty days after completion of abandonment; provided that in the case of an exploratory well the report shall be filed within six months after abandonment.(f) Any bond or rider thereto covering the well shall remain in full force and effect until the well is properly abandoned and the surface properly restored. Written approval of the abandonment shall be obtained from the chairperson before any bond is released.[Eff. JUN 22 1981] (Auth: HRS § 182-14) (Imp: HRS §§ 178-3, 182-14)