(a) The underground disposal of fresh water or of salt water, brackish water, or other water unfit for domestic, livestock, irrigation, or other general uses, is permitted only upon order of the Commission or approval of the Supervisor, obtained pursuant to an application therefore filed in accordance with Chapter 5, Rules of Practice and Procedure, as amended herein. Orders authorizing disposal wells shall remain valid unless revoked by the Commission for just cause. In addition, there is assessed a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) annual fee on all new and old disposal wells. - (i) No later than January 1, 2005, disposal wells shall be equipped with operable pressure gauges, calibrated at all times to industry standards and manufacturer's specifications for the instrument used, on the tubing and on the casing-tubing annulus, or set up in such a way that the company representative can connect gauges to the well to determine pressure on the tubing and casing-tubing annulus. Accurate gauges shall also be placed on any other annuluses as deemed necessary by the Supervisor. Variances may be administratively approved for good cause shown.
(b) Disposal Well Permits. The applicant shall demonstrate by compliance with Chapter 3, Section 22 of these rules that the proposed disposal operation will not endanger fresh water sources. Disposal wells shall be cased and the casing cemented in such a manner that damage will not be caused to oil, gas, or fresh water sources.
(c) The application to dispose of salt water, brackish water, or other water unfit for domestic, livestock, irrigation, or other general uses shall include: - (i) A plat showing the location of the disposal well or wells, including abandoned and drilling wells and dry holes, and the names of all lease Operators or Owners and surface owners within a one-half (1/2) mile radius from the proposed disposal well or wells;
- (ii) An affidavit showing that said lease Operators or Owners and surface owners within a one-half (1/2) mile radius have been provided a copy of the application for disposal;
- (iii) The names, description, and depth of the formation into which water is to be injected, including a mechanical log of the proposed disposal well or wells if one is available;
- (iv) A description of the casing in the disposal well or wells, or the proposed casing program and the proposed method for testing casing before use of the disposal well or wells;
- (v) A statement specifying the source of water to be injected;
- (vi) The estimated minimum and maximum amount of water to be injected daily;
- (vii) The average and maximum disposal pressure;
- (viii) Evidence and data to support a Commission finding that the proposed disposal well will not initiate fractures through the overlying strata or confining zone which could enable the injection fluid or formation fluid to enter the fresh water strata;
- (ix) Standard laboratory analysis of the water to be disposed and the water in the formation into which disposal is taking place. The method of water analysis is subject to review by the commission or Supervisor. Water Analysis Report (Form 17) illustrates the minimum parameters for which water must be analyzed. Other reporting formats which include this minimum information may be accepted;
- (x) A reference to the Commission order exempting the aquifer that is to receive the injected fluid;
- (xi) The applicant shall provide for a one-quarter (1/4) mile radius of investigation for mechanical conditions of all wells which have penetrated the disposal zone surrounding a proposed disposal well. Specifically known and documented geological features may limit the need to review all wells within the one-quarter (1/4) mile radius;
- (xii) The depth and areal extent of all usable fresh and potable water (USDW) underlying the area proposed for exemption;
- (xiii) An Operator or Owner who files an application for approval of a disposal well which is within a one-half (1/2) mile radius of a well producing from the proposed disposal zone shall give notice of the application to the royalty and overriding royalty interest owners within said radius unless the wells are located within a unit.
(d) Disposal Well Integrity Demonstrations. For the purpose of this rule, a mechanical integrity test of an injection well is a test designed to determine: if there is a significant leak in the casing, tubing, or packer of the well, and if there is significant fluid movement into an underground source of drinking water through vertical channels adjacent to the wellbore. - (i) Mechanical integrity must be established by the Owner or Operator no less than once every five (5) years. A mechanical integrity test shall include one of the following tests to determine whether significant leaks are present in the casing, tubing, or packer:
- (A) The Owner or Operator may test the casing-tubing annulus above the packer at the greater of a minimum pressure of 300 psi or a pressure equivalent to the maximum injection pressure, but no higher than 1,000 psi. For the purpose of pressure testing, packers or bridge plugs must be set within one hundred feet (100') of perforations. A retrievable bridge plug may be utilized in casing to test tubingless completions. Owners/Operators must provide the Commission staff the opportunity to witness all integrity tests. In the event a representative of the Commission is unable to witness the test, the Owner or Operator is required to provide documentation of the test to the Commission; or
- (B) As an alternative to the pressure test, the Owner or Operator may use any test or combination of tests approved by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- (ii) The initial mechanical integrity test for all disposal wells shall include one of the following tests to determine whether there are significant fluid movements in vertical channels adjacent to the well bore:
- (A) Cementing records which shall only be valid for disposal wells in existence prior to present date;
- (C) Cementing records with a cement bond log or other acceptable cement evaluation log;
- (D) Temperature surveys; or,
- (E) In lieu of (A) through (D), any other test or combination of tests approved by EPA.
- (iii) As provided in Chapter 2, Section 6, if normal testing, surveys, or monitoring schedules provide inconclusive proof of mechanical reliability, the Commission shall require that other appropriate logs or additional well tests be performed.
- (iv) All disposal wells are required to maintain mechanical integrity as defined by these rules. Any well which fails a mechanical integrity test, or which has been determined through other means to not have mechanical integrity, is required to be shut-in immediately. Once a disposal well is determined to lack mechanical integrity, within ninety (90) days of the determination, it must be repaired and retested or plugged and abandoned. For just cause, in order to continue disposal operations or to extend the deadlines for repairing or plugging wells, Owners or Operators may request variances. These requests must demonstrate that the leaks do not pose a threat to any underground sources of drinking water.
(e) New Owners are obligated to carry out previously approved programs in the manner originally approved. Change of ownership must be filed in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 14 of these rules.
(f) Modifications or variations of existing or pending disposal operations may be approved by the Supervisor under Chapter 3, Section 10 of these rules, upon application containing sufficient detail for the Supervisor to evaluate the proposed modification. Permits for remedial work under this section are only valid for ninety (90) days but can be extended on request by filing a Sundry Notice (Form 4) with the Supervisor assuming there has been no change in geologic, regulatory, or environmental situations. No such variance shall be approved unless the applicant proves to the Supervisor or the Commission that the variance will not endanger fresh water.
(g) The Commission shall publish notice of the disposal application fifteen (15) days before approval in a newspaper in general circulation in Natrona County, and a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the disposal well is located.
(h) Disposal operations must commence within one (1) year of the approval date of the disposal application or the approval shall be null and void.