Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-7-179 - Testing and Monitoring of Injection Wells

A. The operator of an injection well shall file a weekly sundry report with the Commission on all drilling, completion, recompletion, and workover operations.

B. The operator of an injection well shall monitor operations to ensure that injection pressure at the wellhead does not exceed the maximum pressure authorized in the permit, and that no injection shall cause movement of injection or formation fluids into an underground source of drinking water.

C. The operator shall keep accurate records of the amount of oil, gas, water, or geothermal resources produced, the volume of substances injected, the average and maximum pressure used for injection, and the nature of the injected fluid. The operator of an enhanced recovery or disposal well shall submit a report as required in R12-7-187. The operator of a storage well shall submit a report as required in R12-7-185.

D. The operator shall run the following pressure or monitoring tests on new injection wells to establish the mechanical integrity of the tubing, casing, and packer. Existing wells being converted to an injection well shall be tested in the same manner and shall maintain the same mechanical integrity as a new well.

1. The casing-tubing annulus above the packer shall be tested upon completion and at least once every 5 years, under the supervision of the Commission, at a pressure equal to the lesser of the maximum authorized injection pressure or 1,000 psi, provided that no testing pressure shall be less than 300 psi. Documentation of the test shall be submitted to the Commission. Test pressures shall be applied for a period of 30 minutes. If a drop of more than 10% of the test pressure should occur, corrective measures shall be applied. If the tubing, casing, or packer cannot be brought up to standard, the well shall be plugged and abandoned in accordance with R12-7-126 and R12-7-127.

2. The Commission may require the operator to run a tracer survey, a temperature log, or a noise log to demonstrate the absence of fluid movement in vertical channels adjacent to the injection well.

E. Mechanical failure or downhole problems which indicate an injection well is not, or may not be, directing the injected fluid into the permitted injection zone may be cause to shut in the well. The operator shall notify the Commission within 24 hours of any such failure or problem. A written notice shall be filed within 5 days of the occurrence, with a plan for testing and repairing the well. If the well cannot be brought up to the standard required in subsection (D), it shall be plugged and abandoned in accordance with R12-7-126 and R12-7-127.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R12-7-179

Former Rule 704; Amended effective September 29, 1982 (Supp. 82-5). Amended effective January 2, 1996 (Supp. 96-1).