N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.12.10

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 20.3.12.10 - RETRIEVAL OR ABANDONMENT OF SEALED SOURCES

A. Agreement with well owner or operator.

(1) A licensee may perform well logging with a sealed source only after the licensee has a written agreement with the employing well owner or operator. This written agreement shall identify who will meet the requirements of Subsections B and C of this section and who will meet the following requirements:

(a) the radiation monitoring requirements of Subsection A of 20.3.12.15 NMAC shall be performed; and

(b) if the environment, any equipment or personnel are contaminated with licensed material, they shall be decontaminated before release from the site or release for unrestricted use.

(2) Recordkeeping. The licensee shall retain a copy of the written agreement for 3 years after the completion of the well logging operation.

(3) A written agreement between the licensee and the well owner or operator is not required if the licensee and the well owner or operator are part of the same corporate structure or otherwise similarly affiliated. However, the licensee shall still otherwise meet the requirements of Subsections B and C of this section.

B. Retrieval of lodged sealed sources.

(1) If a sealed source becomes lodged in the well, a reasonable effort shall be made to recover it.

(2) A person may not attempt to recover a sealed source in a manner which, in the licensee's opinion, could result in its rupture.

C. Irretrievable sealed sources. If the sealed source is classified as irretrievable after reasonable efforts at recovery have been expended, the licensee shall implement the requirements of this subsection within 30 days.

(1) Each irretrievable well logging source shall be immobilized and sealed in place with a cement plug.

(2) The licensee shall implement means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source, unless the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations.

(3) The licensee shall install a permanent identification plaque, constructed of long lasting material such as stainless steel, brass, bronze or monel, shall be mounted at the surface of the well, unless the mounting of the plaque is not practical. The size of the plaque shall be at least 17 centimeters (7 inches) square and 3 millimeters (1/8 inch) thick. The plaque shall contain:

(a) the word "caution";

(b) the radiation symbol (the color requirement in Subsection A of 20.3.4.427 NMAC need not be met);

(c) the date the source was abandoned;

(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) an identification of the sealed source(s) by radionuclide and quantity;

(g) the depth of the source and depth to the top of the plug; and

(h) an appropriate warning, such as, "do not re-enter this well."

D. A licensee may apply, pursuant to Subsection A of 20.3.1.107 NMAC, for department approval, on a case-by-case basis, of proposed procedures to abandon an irretrievable well logging source in a manner not otherwise authorized in this subsection.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.12.10

20.3.12.10 NMAC - Rp, 20.3.12.1203 NMAC, 6/30/2011