312 IAC 29-33-18 - Horizontal coal bed methane well bottom plugs

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

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 18.

(a) This section establishes requirements for the setting of bottom plugs in horizontal coal bed methane wells.

(b) Unless prior written consent is received under IC 14-37-4-8.5(f) and IC 14-37-4-8.5(g), an owner or operator must plug the horizontal drain hole portions of a coal bed methane well using the type and amounts of plugging materials specified in the plan previously approved under section 5 of this rule.

(c) The use of materials to plug horizontal drain hole portions of a coal bed methane well of a different type or the use of different amounts than specified in the plan previously approved under section 8 of this rule, may be used only if written consent is given by the coal owner and the director finds that such types or amounts of plugging materials are not likely to result in waste of the commercially minable coal resource or adversely affect the health and safety of underground miners.

(d) This section does not require an operator to plug the horizontal drain hole portion of a coal bed methane well, if the coal owner has given written consent to the drilling of the well under IC 14-37-4-8.5(f) and IC 14-37-4-8.5(g).

(e) Upon conclusion of the plugging of horizontal drain hole portions of a coal bed methane well, the owner or operator must either:

(1) place a cement bottom plug beginning from the plugged back total depth and extending for a minimum distance of two hundred fifty (250) feet above that point; or

(2) use mud to fill the well bore from plugged back total depth up to the kick-off point and place the cement bottom plug at the beginning of the well curve kick-off point and extend the plug for a minimum distance of two hundred fifty (250) feet above that point.

Notes

312 IAC 29-33-18

Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-33-18; filed 12/1/2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA Readopted filed 1/17/2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA