312 IAC 29-28-2 - Establishment of internal mechanical integrity for Class II wells

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-37-3

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 2.

(a) Establishment of internal mechanical integrity includes:

(1) proper placement of the packer in accordance with subsection (b) or (c); and

(2) successful performance of a pressure test in accordance with subsection (e).

(b) Injection shall be through tubing and packer unless alternative construction methods are approved by the division. The packer shall be placed no higher than two hundred (200) feet above the uppermost perforations or the casing seat in an open hole completion, provided the packer is:

(1) within the cemented portion of the production casing such that there is at least fifty (50) feet of cement above the packer; and

(2) no less than one hundred (100) feet below the base of the fresh water.

No perforations shall be left open above the packer unless they are isolated by a dual packer or concentric packer system. If a dual packer is used, the uppermost packer must satisfy the placement requirements of this subsection.

(c) The permittee shall contact the division at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the initial setting or any resetting of the packer in a Class II well to enable an oil and gas inspector to be present when the packer is set.

(d) The owner or operator shall establish internal mechanical integrity:

(1) before initial injection into a newly permitted Class II well;

(2) before initial injection into a Class II well after any workover of the well involving the resetting or movement of a packer;

(3) before resuming injection into any Class II well after a change to a new, permitted injection zone;

(4) before initial injection into a Class II well after the well has been reactivated from temporary abandonment status;

(5) whenever the division has reason to believe, based upon well records or field observation, that the well may be leaking or was improperly constructed;

(6) at least once every five (5) years measured from the date mechanical integrity was last established unless the well has been temporarily abandoned in accordance with 312 IAC 29-31-3; and

(7) before resuming the injection of fluids after repairs are made following failure of the well to pass a pressure test.

(e) The owner or operator shall comply with the following requirements for conducting pressure tests to establish internal mechanical integrity of a Class II well:

(1) Notice shall be given to the division at least twenty-four (24) hours before conducting a pressure test.

(2) The setting depth of the packer and the results of the pressure test shall be verified by a representative of the operator and reported to the division on a form prescribed by the division.

(3) The casing-tubing annulus above the packer shall be filled with fluid and the pressure tested under the supervision of the division.

(4) Except as provided under section 3 of this rule, the fluid used to fill the casing-tubing annulus shall be a liquid.

(5) The test pressure shall be a minimum of three hundred (300) pounds per square inch with a pressure differential between the tubing and the annulus of fifty (50) pounds per square inch.

(6) The test pressure shall be maintained with a pressure differential of no more than three percent (3%) over a period of thirty (30) minutes.

(7) The well may be operating or shut in during the test.

Notes

312 IAC 29-28-2

Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-28-2; filed 12/1/2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA Readopted filed 1/17/2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA