Ill. Admin. Code tit. 62, § 240.1170 - Plugging Fluid Waste Disposal and Well Site Restoration
Within 6 months after a well is plugged:
a) The free liquid fraction of the plugging
fluid waste, consisting of produced water and crude oil, shall be removed from
the pit and disposed of in a Class II Injection well (or in above ground tanks
or containers pending disposal) prior to restoration. The remaining plugging
fluid wastes shall be disposed of by on-site burial.
b) All plugging pits shall be filled and
leveled in a manner that allows the site to be returned to original use with no
subsidence or leakage of fluids, and where applicable, with sufficient
compaction to support farm machinery.
c) All drilling and production equipment,
rock or concrete bases, machinery, and equipment debris shall be removed from
the site.
d) Casing shall be cut
off at least 4 feet below the surface of the ground, and a steel plate welded
on the casing or a mushroomed cap of cement approximately one foot in thickness
shall be placed over the casing so that the top of the cap is at least 3 feet
below ground level.
e) Any drilling
rat holes shall be filled with cement to no lower than 4 feet and no higher
than 3 feet below ground level.
f)
The well site and all excavations, holes and pits shall be filled and the
surface leveled.
g) Upon written
request of the permittee, the Department may approve extensions of time, not to
exceed a date 12 months after the plugging of the well, to complete the work
required by subsections (a) through (f). All extension requests must be
received by the Department no less than 10 calendar days prior to the
expiration of the initial 6 month period or any extensions of that time period.
When determining whether to grant an extension, and in determining the length
of any extensions, the Department will consider factors including, but not
limited to:
1) the permittee's diligence in
completing the work since the well was plugged;
2) weather conditions;
3) amount and type of work
completed;
4) amount and type of
work still remaining to be completed;
5) number of wells and facilities involved in
the work;
6) written consent to
extension from surface owner;
7)
availability of equipment and/or services; and
8) conditions beyond the permittee's
control.
Notes
Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 15513, effective September 29, 1992
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