40 C.F.R. §§ 144.21–144.26

An existing Class I, II (except enhanced recovery and hydrocarbon storage) and III injection well is authorized by rule if the owner or operator injects into the existing well within one year after the date at which a UIC program authorized under the SDWA becomes effective for the first time or inventories the well pursuant to the requirements of § 144.26. An owner or operator of a well which is authorized by rule pursuant to this section shall rework, operate, maintain, convert, plug, abandon or inject into the well in compliance with applicable regulations.

Duration of well authorization by rule. Well authorization under this section expires upon the effective date of a permit issued pursuant to § 144.25, § 144.31, § 144.33 or § 144.34; after plugging and abandonment in accordance with an approved plugging and abandonment plan pursuant to §§ 144.28(c) and 146.10, and upon submission of a plugging and abandonment report pursuant to § 144.28(k); or upon conversion in compliance with § 144.28(j).

Prohibitions on injection. An owner or operator of a well authorized by rule pursuant to this section is prohibited from injecting into the well:

Class II and III wells in existing fields or projects. Notwithstanding the prohibition in § 144.11, this section authorizes Class II and Class III wells or projects in existing fields or projects to continue normal operations until permitted, including construction, operation, and plugging and abandonment of wells as part of the operation, provided the owner or operator maintains compliance with all applicable requirements.

Requirements. The owner or operator of a well authorized under this section shall comply with the applicable requirements of § 144.28 and part 147 of this chapter no later than one year after authorization.

An existing Class II enhanced recovery or hydrocarbon storage injection well is authorized by rule for the life of the well or project, if the owner or operator injects into the existing well within one year after the date which a UIC program authorized under the SDWA becomes effective for the first time or inventories the well pursuant to the requirements of § 144.26. An owner or operator of a well which is authorized by rule pursuant to this section shall rework, operate, maintain, convert, plug, abandon or inject into the well in compliance with applicable regulations.

Duration of well authorization by rule. Well authorization under this section expires upon the effective date of a permit issued pursuant to § 144.19, § 144.25, § 144.31, § 144.33 or § 144.34; after plugging and abandonment in accordance with an approved plugging and abandonment plan pursuant to §§ 144.28(c) and 146.10 of this chapter; and upon submission of a plugging and abandonment report pursuant to § 144.28(k); or upon conversion in compliance with § 144.28(j).

Prohibitions on injection. An owner or operator of a well authorized by rule pursuant to this section is prohibited from injecting into the well:

Requirements. The owner or operator of a well authorized under this section shall comply with the applicable requirements of § 144.28 and part 147 of this chapter. Such owner or operator shall comply with the casing and cementing requirements no later than 3 years and other requirements no later than 1 year after authorization.

Injection into existing Class IV wells is authorized for up to six months after approval or promulgation of the UIC Program. Such wells are subject to the requirements of §§ 144.13 and 144.14(c).

Closure. For EPA administered programs only,

Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, injection wells used to inject contaminated ground water that has been treated and is being injected into the same formation from which it was drawn are authorized by rule for the life of the well if such subsurface emplacement of fluids is approved by EPA, or a State, pursuant to provisions for cleanup of releases under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601-9675, or pursuant to requirements and provisions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k.

A Class V injection well is authorized by rule, subject to the conditions in § 144.84

Duration of well authorization by rule. Well authorization under this section expires upon the effective date of a permit issued pursuant to § 144.25, § 144.31, § 144.33 or § 144.34, or upon proper closure of the well.

Prohibition of injection. An owner or operator of a well which is authorized by rule pursuant to this section is prohibited from injecting into the well:

The Director may require the owner or operator of any Class I, II, III or V injection well which is authorized by rule under this subpart to apply for and obtain an individual or area UIC permit. Cases where individual or area UIC permits may be required include:

For EPA-administered programs, the Regional Administrator may require an owner or operator of any well which is authorized by rule under this subpart to apply for an individual or area UIC permit under this paragraph only if the owner or operator has been notified in writing that a permit application is required. The owner or operator of a well which is authorized by rule under this subpart is prohibited from injecting into the well upon the effective date of permit denial, or upon failure by the owner or operator to submit an application in a timely manner as specified in the notice. The notice shall include: a brief statement of the reasons for requiring a permit; an application form; a statement setting a time for the owner or operator to file the application; and a statement of the consequences of denial or issuance of the permit, or failure to submit an application, as described in this paragraph.

An owner or operator of a well authorized by rule may request to be excluded from the coverage of this subpart by applying for an individual or area UIC permit. The owner or operator shall submit an application under § 144.31 with reasons supporting the request, to the Director. The Director may grant any such requests.

Contents. As part of the inventory, the Director shall require and the owner/operator shall provide at least the following information:

Additional contents. For EPA administered programs only, the owner or operator of a well listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall provide the information listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

Notice. Upon approval of the UIC Program in a State, the Director shall notify owners or operators of injection wells of their duty to submit inventory information. The method of notification selected by the Director must assure that the owners or operators will be made aware of the inventory requirement.