N.M. Admin. Code § 20.6.2.5204 - MECHANICAL INTEGRITY FOR CLASS I WELLS AND CLASS III WELLS

A. A Class I well or Class III well has mechanical integrity if there is no detectable leak in the casing, tubing or packer which the secretary considers to be significant at maximum operating temperature and pressure; and no detectable conduit for fluid movement out of the injection zone through the well bore or vertical channels adjacent to the well bore which the secretary considers to be significant.

B. Prior to well injection and at least once every five years or more frequently as the secretary may require for good cause during the life of the well, the discharger must demonstrate that a Class I well or Class III well has mechanical integrity. The demonstration shall be made through use of the following tests:

(1) for evaluation of leaks:

(a) monitoring of annulus pressure (after an initial pressure test with liquid or gas before operation commences); or

(b) pressure test with liquid or gas;

(2) for determination of conduits for fluid movement:

(a) the results of a temperature or noise log; or

(b) where the nature of the casing used for Class III wells precludes use of these logs, cementing records and an appropriate monitoring program as the secretary may require which will demonstrate the presence of adequate cement to prevent such movement;

(3) other appropriate tests as the secretary may require.

C. The secretary may consider the use by the discharger of equivalent alternative test methods to determine mechanical integrity. The discharger shall submit information on the proposed test and all technical data supporting its use. The secretary may approve the request if it will reliably demonstrate the mechanical integrity of wells for which its use is proposed. For Class III wells this demonstration may be made by submission of adequate monitoring data after the initial mechanical integrity tests.

D. In conducting and evaluating the tests enumerated in this section or others to be allowed by the secretary, the discharger and the secretary shall apply methods and standards generally accepted in the affected industry. When the discharger reports the results of mechanical integrity tests to the secretary, he shall include a description of the test(s), the method(s) used, and the test results. In making an evaluation, the secretary's review shall include monitoring and other test data submitted since the previous evaluation.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.6.2.5204

9-20-82, 12-1-95; 20.6.2.5204 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 6.2.V.5204, 1-15-01; A, 12-1-01 Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVI, Issue 15, August 14, 2015, eff. 8/31/2015