La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XV-2051

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XV-2051 - Notification of Incidents, Abandonment, and Lost Sources

A. The licensee shall immediately notify the Office of Environmental Compliance by telephone at (225) 765-0160 in the manner provided in LAC 33:I.3923 and subsequently within 30 days by confirmatory report using the procedures provided in LAC 33:I.3925.B and C if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured. The report must designate the well or other location, describe the magnitude and extent of the release of licensed materials, assess the consequences of the rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

B. Whenever a sealed source or device containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:

1. monitor at the surface for the presence of radioactive contamination with a radiation survey instrument or logging tool during logging tool recovery operations; and

2. notify the Office of Environmental Compliance immediately by telephone at (225) 765-0160 in the manner provided in LAC 33:I.3923 if radioactive contamination is detected at the surface or if the source appears to be damaged, and provide a follow-up written report to the Office of Environmental Compliance using the procedures provided in LAC 33:I.3925.B and C within 30 days of detection.

C. When it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the radioactive source will not be successful, the licensee shall:

1. advise the well operator of the regulations of the appropriate state agency regarding abandonment and an appropriate method of abandonment, which shall include:

a. the immobilization and sealing in place of the radioactive source with a cement plug;

b. the setting of a whipstock or other deflection device; and

c. the mounting of a permanent identification plaque, at the surface of the well, containing the appropriate information required by LAC 33:XV.2051.D.

2. notify the Office of Environmental Compliance by telephone at (225) 765-0160 in the manner provided in LAC 33:I.3923 giving the circumstances of the loss, and request approval of the proposed abandonment procedures; and

3. file a written report with the Office of Environmental Compliance using the procedures provided in LAC 33:I.3925.B and C within 30 days of the abandonment, setting forth the following information:

a. date of occurrence and a brief description of attempts to recover the source;

b. a description of the radioactive source involved, including radionuclide, quantity, and chemical and physical form;

c. surface location and identification of well;

d. results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;

e. depth of the radioactive source;

f. depth of the top of the cement plug;

g. depth of the well;

h. information contained on the permanent identification plaque;

i. the names of state agencies receiving a copy of this report; and

j. the immediate threat to public health and safety justification for implementing abandonment if prior Office of Environmental Compliance approval was not obtained because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety.

D. Whenever a sealed source containing radioactive material is abandoned downhole, the licensee shall provide a means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source, unless the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations, and a permanent plaque (see LAC 33:XV.2099.Appendix B) for posting the well or well-bore. This plaque shall:

1. be constructed of long-lasting material, such as stainless steel or monel; and

2. contain the following information engraved on its face:

a. the word "CAUTION" ;

b. the radiation symbol without the conventional color requirement;

c. the date of abandonment;

d. the name of the well owner or well operator, as appropriate;

e. the well name and well identification number(s) or other designation;

f. the sealed source(s) by radionuclide and quantity of activity;

g. the source depth and the depth to the top of the plug; and

h. an appropriate warning, depending on the specific circumstances of each abandonment. Appropriate warnings may include "DO NOT DRILL BELOW PLUG BACK DEPTH "; "DO NOT ENLARGE CASING "; or "DO NOT RE-ENTER THE HOLE ", followed by the words, "BEFORE CONTACTING THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ".

E. The licensee shall notify the Office of Environmental Compliance of the theft or loss of radioactive materials, radiation overexposure, excessive levels and concentrations of radiation or radioactive materials, and certain other accidents as required by LAC 33:XV.341, 485, 486, and 487.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XV-2051

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Nuclear Energy Division, LR 13:569 (October 1987), amended by the Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Division, LR 18:34 (January 1992), LR 21:555 (June 1995), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2606 (November 2000), LR 29:1473 (August 2003), LR 30:1679 (August 2004), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 33:2363 (November 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.