Utah Admin. Code R649-3-28 - Designated Potash Areas
1. In any area
designated as a potash area, either by the board, or an appropriate state or
federal government agency, any well shall be drilled, cased, cemented, and
plugged in accordance with the rules and orders of the board. The following
minimum requirements and definitions shall also apply to the drilling, logging,
casing, and plugging operations within the Salt Section to protect against
migration of oil, gas, or water into or within any formation or zone containing
potash. As used in this rule, Salt Section shall mean the Paradox Salt Section
of Pennsylvanian Age.
2. Any
drilling media used through the Salt Section shall be such that sodium chloride
is not soluble in the media at normal temperatures.
3. Gamma ray-neutron, gamma ray-sonic or
other appropriate logs shall be run promptly through the Salt Section. One
field copy of the log through the Salt Section shall be submitted to the
division within ten days, or upon the request of the division, whichever is the
earlier.
4. A directional survey
shall be run from a point at least 20 feet below the Salt Section to the
surface. The survey shall be filed with the division prior to completion or
plugging and abandonment of the well.
5. In addition to the requirements of the
Subsection R649-3-8, any casing set into or
through the Salt Section shall be cemented solidly through the Salt Section
above the casing shoe.
6. Any
cement used in setting casing or in plugging that comes in contact with the
Salt Section shall be of such chemical composition as to avoid dissolution of
the Salt Section and to provide weight, strength, and physical properties
sufficient to protect uphole formations and prevent blowouts or uncontrolled
flows.
7. If a well is dry, cement
plugs at least 200 feet in length shall be placed across the top and the base
of the Salt Section, across any oil, gas or water show, and across any potash
zone.
7.1. Plugs shall not be required inside
a properly cemented casing string. The division shall approve the location of
the plugs after examining the appropriate logs, drilling and testing records
for the well.
7.2. No well shall be
temporarily abandoned with open hole in the Salt Section.
8. The division may inspect the drilling
operations at any time, including any mining operations that may affect any
drilling or producing well bores. A potash owner, if contributing by agreement
to the logging and directional survey costs of a well, may inspect the well for
compliance with this rule.
9.
Before commencing drilling operations for oil or gas on any land within
designated potash area, the operator shall furnish by registered mail, a copy
of the APD, together with the plat or map required under Subsection
R649-3-4, to any potash owners
and lessees whose interests are within a radius of 2,640 feet of the proposed
well.
10. After proper notice and
hearing, the board may modify this rule for a particular well or area by
requiring that greater or lesser precautions be taken to prevent the escape of
oil, gas, or water from one stratum into another. The board may also expand or
contract from the designated potash areas.
Notes
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No prior version found.