Section 312 IAC 17-2-15 - PluggingAuthority: IC 14-38-2-7
Affected: IC 4-21.5; IC 14-8-2-47; IC 14-8-2-317; IC 14-37; IC 14-38-2
Sec. 15.
(a) A test hole shall be plugged under IC 14-38-2 and this rule so as to prevent the pollution of underground sources of drinking water.(b) Within six (6) months of abandoning a test hole, an operator shall do each of the following: (1) Clear the area of refuse.(2) Drain and fill excavations.(4) Restore the surface as nearly as practicable to its condition before drilling.(c) The owner of surface rights may, with consent of the operator, make application to the division to retain equipment, fixtures, or pits placed for a test hole. The application shall be made on a departmental form releasing the operator and its agents from responsibility for restoration, except as provided in the application.(d) An operator may apply to the division to convert a test hole otherwise to be abandoned to a fresh water well. The application shall be made on a division form and shall include the following information:(1) The depth to which the operator proposes to plug the hole.(2) Written consent by any person who holds a recorded interest at or above the elevation of the plug.(3) A statement by each owner of surface rights to release the operator from an obligation to abandon the test hole, except as provided in the application. The division shall authorize the conversion to a fresh water well upon a finding that the application has been properly completed and that the conversion will not violate IC 14-38-2 or this rule.
(e) The use of a bridge to plug a test hole is prohibited. The operator shall drill out and replug the hole if unfilled below a bridge.(f) If unauthorized material is placed in a test hole, the division may require its removal before plugging.(g) If a test hole is obstructed by equipment associated with drilling and if the removal of that equipment is impracticable, the division director may authorize a special method to abandon the hole. The operator shall obtain approval of the special method to abandon the hole. The operator shall obtain approval of the special method from a commission representative before implementation.(h) An operator may apply to the division to convert a test hole to a well for oil and gas purposes as defined in IC 14-8-2-317. No conversion is authorized under this subsection unless the operator complies with IC 4-21.5 and IC 14-37 with respect to the issuance of a new permit for a well for oil and gas purposes.(i) Upon the abandonment of a test hole, each commercially mineable coal resource shall be protected by a cement plug extending one hundred (100) feet above the coal resource to fifty (50) feet below the coal resource or to the bottom of the hole, whichever is less. A substantial support shall be provided for each cement plug required for coal protection. The supporting plug shall contain suitable materials and shall be tested to determine that settlement or movement of the cement plug will not take place during the period required for the cement to set. A commercially mineable coal resource has the meaning set forth in IC 14-8-2-47 and shall be identified and located as provided in 312 IAC 29-17-1 and 312 IAC 29-17-2. Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 17-2-15; filed Feb 23, 1998, 11:30 a.m.: 21 IR 2351; readopted filed Nov 17, 2004, 11:00 a.m.: 28 IR 1315; readopted filed Mar 25, 2010, 2:59 p.m.: 20100421-IR-312100038RFAReadopted filed 9/30/2015, 12:13 p.m.: 20151028-IR-312150224RFAErrata filed 1/30/2018, 3:53 p.m.: 20180207-IR-312180068ACAReadopted filed 5/19/2021, 4:17 p.m.: 20210616-IR-312210111RFA