Section 312 IAC 29-6-2 - Additional permit application requirements for coal bed methane wellsAuthority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-37-3
Affected: IC 14-37
Sec. 2.
An application for a coal bed methane well permit must include detailed plans for the following:
(1) Well stimulation operations information as follows:(A) The source and proposed volume of base fluid to be used.(B) A description of each additive proposed to be included in the well stimulation program including the following:(i) The proposed rate or concentration of the additive.(ii) The product name as identified by the manufacturer on the material safety data sheet.(iii) A description of the type of or purpose for each additive.(iv) A copy of any material safety data sheet for each additive product.(C) Well stimulation design information as follows:(i) Identification of each coal seam to be stimulated.(ii) Proposed casing and cementing plan for the well.(iii) Identification of the principal strata above and below each coal seam.(iv) The anticipated surface treating pressure range.(v) The maximum injection treating pressure.(vi) Face and butt cleat orientation that is known for each coal seam.(vii) The estimated or calculated fracture half length and fracture height, if known.(viii) A demonstration that coal seams outside the coal bed methane production area will not be adversely affected by hydraulic fracturing operations and will be adequately protected for future underground mining.(D) A plan for the flushing of fluids from the well following completion of well stimulation operations including the management and disposal of flow-back fluids and solids.(2) In addition to the requirements in subdivision (1), if hydraulic fracturing operations are proposed, the applicant must identify: (A) known water wells, including water wells identified on the online water well record database of the department's division of water; and(B) known wells for oil or gas purposes, test holes, or borings which penetrate the coal seam to be hydraulically fractured; that are located within the greater distance of a radius of five hundred (500) feet or the estimated or calculated fracture half length, from the proposed coal bed methane well.
(3) If wells for oil or gas purposes, test holes, or borings are identified under subdivision (2), and the division determines there is a significant risk they may serve as a conduit for the migration of fluids into an underground source of drinking water, the division director may require the applicant to:(A) perform remedial plugging operations; or(B) take other reasonable measures, including modifying the hydraulic fracturing plan; as necessary to minimize or eliminate adverse impacts to underground sources of drinking water as a result of the hydraulic fracturing operations.
(4) If written consent to the drilling of the coal bed methane well cannot be obtained from a coal owner or coal lessee as required under section 5(a)(1) of this rule, in addition to the proof of notification required under section 5(a)(2) of this rule, the applicant must submit an affidavit certifying that, upon diligent inquiry, the activities of the applicant with respect to drilling, completing, operating, and abandoning of a coal bed methane well would not result in waste of any commercially minable coal resource and would not endanger the health and safety of underground coal miners. As used in this subdivision, "diligent inquiry" includes reference to: (A) the record of filings maintained by the department and made by coal owners and lessees under 312 IAC 29-17-1; and(B) publicly available records pertaining to the thickness and depth of coal that could be regarded as commercially minable coal resources under 312 IAC 29-17-2.Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-6-2; filed 12/1/2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRAReadopted filed 1/17/2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA