055-4 Wyo. Code R. §§ 4-7 - Waterflooding and Other Recovery Operations

(a) Waterflooding and other recovery operations involving the introduction of extraneous forms of energy into any pool, repressuring, cycling or recycling operations, including the extraction and separation of liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas in connection therewith, is permitted only upon order of the Commission, or upon approval of the Supervisor, obtained pursuant to an application therefore filed in accordance with Chapter 5, Rules of Practice and Procedure. This provision is applicable to wells which are proposed to be converted to injection; as well as new wells drilled solely for the purpose of underground injection. Orders authorizing existing injection wells shall remain valid unless revoked by the Commission for just cause. In addition, there is assessed an annual fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) on all enhanced recovery wells.

(b) Injection Well Permits. The applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the proposed injection operation will not endanger fresh water sources. Injection wells shall be cased and the casing cemented in such a manner that damage will not be caused to oil, gas, or fresh water sources.

(c) An application for injection shall contain:

(i) A plat showing the area involved together with the well(s) which includes drilling well(s) and dry and abandoned well(s) located thereon, all properly designated;

(ii) A list of all lease Operators or Owners and surface owners within a one-half (1/2) mile radius of the proposed injection well(s);

(iii) An affidavit showing that said lease Operators or Owners and surface owners within a one-half (1/2) mile radius have been provided a copy of the application for injection;

(iv) A full description of the particular operations for which approval is requested;

(v) The pools from which wells are producing or have produced;

(vi) The name, description, and depth of the pool or pools to be affected;

(vii) The log of the injection well(s), or such information with respect thereto as is available;

(viii) A description of the casing of the injection well, or the proposed casing program, and the proposed method for testing casing before use of the injection wells;

(ix) A statement as to the type of fluid to be used for injection, its sources, and the estimated amounts to be injected daily. The Commission's Form 17 (Water Analyses Report) illustrates the minimum parameters for which water must be analyzed. Other reporting formats which include this minimum information may be accepted;

(x) The average and maximum injection pressure;

(xi) Evidence and data to support a Commission finding that the proposed injection well will not initiate fractures through the overlying strata or confining zone which could enable the injection fluid or formation fluid to enter the fresh water strata;

(xii) Standard laboratory analyses of the water to be injected and the water in the formation into which fluid is being injected. The method of water analysis is subject to review by the Commission or the Supervisor;

(xiii) The name and address of the Owner/Operator;

(xiv) A reference to the Commission order exempting the aquifer that is to receive the fluid;

(xv) The applicant shall provide for a one-quarter (1/4) mile radius of investigation for mechanical conditions of all wells which have penetrated the injection zone surrounding a proposed injection well. Specifically known and documented geological features may limit the need to review all wells within a one-quarter (1/4) mile radius; and,

(xvi) The depth and areal extent of all usable fresh and potable water (USDW) underlying the area proposed for exemption.

(d) Injection Well Integrity Demonstration. For the purpose of this rule, a mechanical integrity test of an injection well is a test designed to determine:

(i) If there is a significant leak in the casing, tubing, or packer of the well; and,

(ii) If there is significant fluid movement into an underground source of drinking water through vertical channels adjacent to the wellbore.

(e) Mechanical integrity must be established by the Owner or Operator no less than once every five (5) years. A mechanical integrity test shall include one of the following tests to determine whether significant leaks are present in the casing, tubing, or packer:

(i) The Owner or Operator may test the casing-tubing annulus above the packer at the greater of a minimum pressure of three hundred (300) psi or a pressure equivalent to the maximum injection pressure, but no higher than one thousand (1,000) psi. For the purpose of pressure testing, packers or bridge plugs must be set within one hundred feet (100') of perforations. A retrievable bridge plug may be utilized in casing to test tubingless completions. Owners/Operators must provide the Commission staff the opportunity to witness all integrity tests. In the event a representative of the Commission is unable to witness the test, the Owner or Operator is required to provide documentation of the test to the Commission; or,

(ii) As an alternative to the pressure test, the Owner or Operator may use any test or combination of tests approved by EPA.

(f) The initial mechanical integrity test for all injection wells shall include one of the following tests to determine whether there are significant fluid movements in vertical channels adjacent to the wellbore:

(i) Cementing records which shall only be valid for injection wells in existence prior to present date;

(ii) Tracer surveys;

(iii) Cementing records with a cement bond log or other acceptable cement evaluation log;

(iv) Temperature surveys;

(v) In lieu of (i) through (iv), any other test or combination of tests approved by EPA.

(g) As provided in Chapter 2, Section 6 of these rules, if normal testing, surveys, or monitoring schedules provide inconclusive proof of mechanical reliability, the Commission shall require that other appropriate logs, or additional well tests be performed.

(h) All injection wells are required to maintain mechanical integrity as defined by these rules. Any well which fails a mechanical integrity test, or which has been determined through other means to not have mechanical integrity, within ninety (90) days of the failure or determination, must be repaired and retested or plugged and abandoned. For just cause, in order to continue injection operations or to extend the deadlines for repairing or plugging the wells, Owners or Operators may request variances. To be approved, these requests must demonstrate that the leaks do not pose a threat to any underground sources of drinking water.

(i) New Owners are obligated to carry out previously approved programs in the manner originally approved. Change of ownership must be filed in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 14 of these rules.

(j) Modifications or variances of existing or pending injection operations may be approved by the Supervisor under Chapter 3, Section 10 of these rules upon application containing sufficient detail for the Supervisor to evaluate the proposed modification. Permits for remedial work under this section are only valid for ninety (90) days, but can be extended on request by the Operator's filing a Sundry Notice (Form 4) with the Supervisor assuming there has been no change in geologic, regulatory, or environmental situations. No such variance shall be approved unless the applicant proves to the Supervisor or the Commission that the variance will not endanger fresh water.

(k) The Commission shall publish notice of the injection application fifteen (15) days before approval in a newspaper of general circulation in Natrona County, and in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the injection well is located.

(l) Injection operations must commence within one (1) year of the approval date of the injection application or the approval shall be null and void.

(m) No later than January 1, 2005, injection wells shall be equipped with operable pressure gauges, calibrated at all times to industry standards and manufacturer's specifications for the instrument used, on the tubing and on the casing-tubing annulus, or set up in such a way that the company representative can connect gauges to the well to determine pressure on the tubing and casing-tubing annulus. Accurate gauges shall also be placed on any other annuluses as deemed necessary by the Supervisor. Variances may be administratively approved for good cause shown.

Notes

055-4 Wyo. Code R. §§ 4-7

Amended, Eff. 6/3/2015.