312 IAC 29-33-24 - Final well site abandonment and reclamation

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

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 24.

(a) Within six (6) months after a well is plugged, the owner or operator shall do the following:

(1) Cut off and remove all casing from three (3) feet below ground elevation to the surface.

(2) Close workover tanks or plugging pits and handle the content in accordance with the requirements of 312 IAC 29-21-3(b) through 312 IAC 29-21-3(d).

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, remove drilling and production equipment, rock or concrete bases, substructures, machinery, above ground flow lines, and equipment debris associated with the well. Rock or concrete bases may be buried on-site, if buried at least three (3) feet below ground surface. A landowner may assume responsibility for any equipment or structures, if the landowner submits a written release to the division on a division form that identifies any equipment or structure for which a landowner is assuming responsibility.

(4) Restore the well site as nearly as practicable to its condition before drilling.

(b) Within six (6) months after the last well on a lease is plugged, an owner or operator must do the following:

(1) Backfill and regrade all excavations.

(2) Clean, backfill, and regrade any pits and concrete storage structures used to store produced fluids as required under this article.

(3) Clean and remove all tanks, separators, and other above ground storage vessels.

(4) Clean and remove all above ground flow lines.

(5) Demolish or remove all buildings, electric power lines and poles, pump houses, or other structures used in a production operation unless written authorization is obtained from the surface owner to leave a facility in place. The written release shall be submitted to the division on a division form that identifies any equipment and structure for which a landowner is assuming responsibility.

(6) Remove all containment dikes and backfill and regrade the tank battery facility location.

(7) Remove and properly dispose of any remaining production equipment, pipes and fittings, concrete pads, equipment debris, contaminated soil, and general oilfield waste.

Notes

312 IAC 29-33-24

Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-33-24; filed 12/1/2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA Readopted filed 1/17/2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA