Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-7-125 - Temporarily Abandoned and Shut-in Wells

A. If drilling, injection, or production operations at a well are suspended, or have been suspended for 60 days, an operator shall plug the well under R12-7-127 unless the Commission permits the well to be temporarily abandoned or shut-in. The Commission shall not classify a well as shut-in until the operator submits a completion report under R12-7-121.

B. An operator may temporarily abandon or shut-in a well for up to 5 years if the operator demonstrates to a quorum of the Commission a future beneficial use of the well and submits a Sundry Notice to the Commission containing the following information:

1. Evidence of casing integrity as required in R12-7-112 including a complete description of the current casing, cementing, and perforation record of the well;

2. The stimulation and cement squeeze record and complete data on the results of any well tests performed to date; and

3. All other well data required in R12-7-121(A).

C. Before an approved time-frame for a temporarily abandoned or shut-in well expires, the operator shall return the well to beneficial use under a plan approved by the Commission, permanently plug and abandon the well, or apply for an extension to temporarily abandon or shut-in the well. If the integrity of the well casing is in question, the Commission may require the operator to:

1. Prove casing integrity in accordance with R12-7-112;

2. Plug any well that fails to meet the casing integrity required by R12-7-112; and

3. Re-test the well in accordance with R12-7-150 to continue shut-in status.

D. An operator shall ensure that no work begins on a temporarily abandoned or shut-in well until approved by the Commission. The operator shall give at least 24 hours' notice to the Commission before any work begins. Within 15 days of completing the proposed work, the operator shall file a written report with the Commission fully describing the work performed including a copy of all test rates, pressures, and fluid analyses.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-7-125

Adopted effective January 2, 1996 (Supp. 96-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 4827, effective December 7, 2000 (Supp. 00-4).