The operator shall case and cement all wells so as to
maintain well control and prevent degradation of other natural resources,
including water and petroleum. All casing shall be new pipe or reconditioned so
as to be equivalent to new pipe. After cementing, drilling shall be
discontinued for 12 hours if float valves are used; 24 hours if such valves are
not used or do not hold pressure.
(1)
Surface casing. Surface casing shall be set below the deepest USDW and cemented
to the surface. If circulation is lost, a survey shall be run and if a seal to
a point at least 100 feet above the base of the deepest freshwater aquifer has
not been achieved, remedial measures will be taken to do so.
(a) Lost Circulation. Surface casing may be
set above the deepest USDW if necessitated by lost circulation zones provided
the operator implements an alternate and equally effective method of protecting
such aquifers.
(b) Minimum Depth.
The minimum acceptable surface casing depths are based on the proposed total
depth of the well or the first full string of intermediate casing in true
vertical feet from the rotary table and are as follows:
|
Minimum Surface Casing (Feet)
|
|
Well Depth
|
Surface Casing
|
|
0 - 7,000
|
1,500
|
|
7,000 - 9,000
|
1,750
|
|
9,000 - 11,000
|
2,250
|
|
11,000 - 13,000
|
3,000
|
|
13,000 - Below
|
3,500
|
(2) Intermediate Casing. The intermediate
casing shall be set and cemented in accordance with generally accepted industry
standards and practices. If a liner is used as intermediate casing, the liner
seal shall be pressure tested to determine whether a seal between the liner top
and next larger string has been achieved. The test shall be recorded on the
driller's log. When such liner is used as production casing, it shall be
extended to the surface and cemented as described above to avoid surface casing
being used as production casing.
(3) Production/Injection Casing. Production
casing shall be set and cemented in accordance with generally accepted industry
standards and practices. However, a sufficient quantity of cement to fill the
annular space at least 1, 500 feet above the uppermost producible hydrocarbon
zone must be used. When a liner is used as production casing, the testing of
the seal between the liner top and next larger string shall be conducted as in
the case of intermediate liners.
(4) Pressure Tests. All casing strings except
the conductor shall be pressure tested as specified below prior to well
completion or drilling out after cementing. These tests shall not exceed the
working pressure of the casing.
|
CASING STRING
|
MINIMUM SURFACE TEST PRESSURE
|
|
|
(whichever is greater)
|
|
(a) Surface
|
1,000 (psi)
|
|
(b) Intermediate
|
1,500 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
|
|
(c) Liner
|
1,500 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
|
|
(d) Production
|
1,500 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
|
|
(e) Tubing and Packer
|
1,000 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
|
(5)
Retests. These pressure tests shall be thirty minutes long and shall have no
more than a 10 percent pressure drop. If there is an indication of a leak,
necessary remedial measures will be taken and the casing retested. All pressure
tests will be recorded in the driller's log and may be witnessed by an agent of
the Department.
(6) Tubing and
packer pressure tests are waived for Type II Wells.
Notes
Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62C-27.005
Rulemaking Authority
377.22 FS. Law Implemented
377.22
FS.
New 11-26-81, Formerly
16C-27.05, Amended 6-4-89, 5-12-93, Formerly 16C-27.005, Amended
3-24-96.
New 11-26-81, Formerly 16C-27.05, Amended 6-4-89, 5-12-93,
Formerly 16C-27.005, Amended 3-24-96.
