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Notes

40 C.F.R. §§ 147.2910–147.2915

6 sections in range

§147.2910. Duration of authorization by rule.

40 C.F.R. § 147.2910

Existing Class II injuction wells are authorized for the life of the well, subject to the obligation to obtain a permit if specifically required by the Regional Administrator pursuant to § 147.2915.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h.

Source

Source: 49 FR 45309, Nov. 15, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; and 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

Source

Source: 49 FR 20197, May 11, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

§147.2911. Construction requirements for wells authorized by rule.

40 C.F.R. § 147.2911

All Class II wells shall be cased and cemented to prevent movement of fluids into USDWs. The Regional Administrator shall review inventory information, data submitted in permit applications, and other records, to determine the adequacy of construction (completion) or existing injection wells. At the Regional Administrator's discretion, well casing and cementing may be considered adequate if it meets the BIA requirements that were in effect at the time of construction (completion) and will not result in movement of fluid into an USDW. If the Regional Administrator determines that the construction of a well authorized by rule is inadequate, he shall require a permit, or he shall notify the owner/operator and the owner/operator shall correct the problem according to instructions from the Regional Administrator. All corrections must be completed within one year of owner/operator notification of inadequacies.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h.

Source

Source: 49 FR 45309, Nov. 15, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; and 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

Source

Source: 49 FR 20197, May 11, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

§147.2912. Operating requirements for wells authorized by rule.

40 C.F.R. § 147.2912

(a)
Each well authorized by rule must have mechanical integrity. Mechanical integrity must be demonstrated within five years of program adoption. The Regional Administrator will notify the well owner/operator three months before proof of mechanical integrity must be submitted to EPA. The owner/operator must contact the Osage UIC office at least five days prior to testing. The owner/operator may perform the mechanical integrity test prior to receiving notice from the Regional Administrator, provided the Osage UIC office is notified at least five days in advance. Conditions of both paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section must be met.
(1)
There is no significant leak in the casing, tubing or packer. This may be shown by the following:
(i)
Performance of a pressure test of the casing/tubing annulus to at least 200 psi, or the pressure specified by the Regional Administrator, to be repeated thereafter, at five year intervals, for the life of the well (pressure tests conducted during well operation shall maintain an injection/annulus pressure differential of at least 100 psi through the tubing length); or
(ii)
Maintaining a positive gauge pressure on the casing/tubing annulus (filled with liquid) and monitoring the pressure monthly and reporting of the pressure information annually; or
(iii)
Radioactive tracer survey; or
(iv)
For enhanced recovery wells, records of monitoring showing the absence of significant changes in the relationship between injection pressure and injection flow rate at the well head, following an initial pressure test as described by paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (v) of this section; or
(v)
Testing or monitoring programs approved by the Regional Administrator on a case-by-case basis, and
(2)
There is no significant fluid movement into a USDW through vertical channels adjacent to the well bore. This may be shown by any of the following:
(i)
Cementing records (need not be reviewed every five years);
(ii)
Tracer survey (in appropriate hydrogeologic settings; must be used in conjunction with at least one of the other alternatives);
(iii)
Temperature log;
(iv)
Noise log; or
(v)
Other tests deemed acceptable by the Regional Administrator.
(b)
Injection pressure at the wellhead shall be limited so that it does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the confining zone adjacent to any UDSW.
(1)
For existing Class II salt water disposal wells, The owner/operator shall, except during well stimulation, use an injection pressure at the wellhead no greater than the pressure calculated by using the following formula:
(2)
For existing Class II enhanced recovery wells, the owner or operator—
(i)
Shall use an injection pressure no greater than the pressure established by the Regional Administrator for the field or formation in which the well is located. The Regional Administrator shall establish such a maximum pressure after notice, opportunity for comment, and opportunity for a public hearing according to the provisions of part 124, subpart A of this chapter, and will inform owners and operators in writing of the applicable maximum pressure.
(ii)
Prior to such time as the Regional Administrator establishes rules for maximum injection pressures based on data provided pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section the owner/operator shall:
(A)
Limit injection pressure at the wellhead to a value which will not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the confining zone adjacent to any USDW; and
(B)
Submit data acceptable to the Regional Administrator which defines the fracture pressure of the formation in which injection is taking place. A single test may be submitted on behalf of two or more operators conducting operations in the same formation, if the Regional Administrator approves such submission. The data shall be submitted to the Regional Administrator within one year of the effective date of this program.
(c)
Injection wells or projects which have exhibited failure to confine injected fluids to the authorized injection zone or zones may be subject to restriction of injection volume and pressure, or shut-down, until the failure has been identified and corrected.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h.

Source

Source: 49 FR 45309, Nov. 15, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; and 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

Source

Source: 49 FR 20197, May 11, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

§147.2913. Monitoring and reporting requirements for wells authorized by rule.

40 C.F.R. § 147.2913

(a)
The owner/operator has the duty to submit inventory information to the Regional Administrator upon request. Such request may be a general request to all operators in the County (e.g., public notice, or mailout requesting verification of information).
(b)
The operator shall monitor the injection pressure (psi) and rate (bb1/day) at least monthly, with the results reported annually. The annual report shall specify the types of methods used to generate the monitoring data.
(c)
The owner/operator shall notify the Osage UIC office within 30 days of any mechanical failure or down-hole problems involving well integrity, well workovers, or any noncompliance. As required, operators must apply for and obtain a workover permit from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Osage Agency before reentering an injection well. If the condition may endanger an USDW, the owner/operator shall notify the Osage UIC office orally within 24 hours, with written notice including plans for testing and/or repair to be submitted within five days. If all the information is not available within five days, a followup report must be submitted within 30 days.
(d)
The owner/operator shall determine the nature of injected fluids initially, when the nature of injected fluids is changed or when new constituents are added. The records should reflect the source of character of the new fluid and the date changes were made.
(e)
The owner/operator shall retain all monitoring records for three years, unless an enforcement action is pending, and then until three years after the enforcement action has been resolved.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h.

Source

Source: 49 FR 45309, Nov. 15, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; and 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

Source

Source: 49 FR 20197, May 11, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

§147.2914. Corrective action for wells authorized by rule.

40 C.F.R. § 147.2914

Based on the Regional Administrator's discretion, corrective action to prevent movement of fluid into an USDW may be required for improperly sealed, completed or abandoned wells (i.e., wells or well bores which may provide and avenue for fluid migration into a USDW) within the zone of endangering influence (as defined in § 147.2904, Area of Review) of an injection well authorized by rule.
(a)
EPA will notify the operator when corrective action is required. Corrective action may include:
(1)
Well modifications—
(i)
Recementing;
(ii)
Workover;
(iii)
Reconditioning;
(iv)
Plugging or replugging;
(2)
Limitations on injection pressure to prevent movement of fluid into an USDW;
(3)
A more stringent monitoring program; and/or
(4)
Periodic testing of other wells to determine if significant movement of fluid has occurred.
(b)
If the monitoring discussed in paragraph (a) (3) or (4) of this section indicate the potential endangerment of an USDW, then action as described in paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section must be taken.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h.

Source

Source: 49 FR 45309, Nov. 15, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; and 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

Source

Source: 49 FR 20197, May 11, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

§147.2915. Requiring a permit for wells authorized by rule.

40 C.F.R. § 147.2915

(a)
The Regional Administrator may require the owner or operator of any well authorized by rule to apply for an individual or area permit. The Regional Administrator shall notify the owner/operator in writing that a permit application is required. The notice shall contain:
(1)
Explanation of need for application;
(2)
Application form and, if appropriate, a list of additional information to be submitted; and
(3)
Deadline for application submission.
(b)
Cases in which the Regional Administrator may require a permit include:
(1)
The owner or operator is not in compliance with provisions of the rule;
(2)
Injection well is no longer within the category of wells authorized by rule;
(3)
Protection of USDWs requires that the injection operation be regulated by requirements which are not contained in the rule; or
(4)
Discretion of Regional Administrator.
(c)
Injection is no longer authorized by rule upon the effective date of a permit or permit denial, or upon failure of the owner/operator to submit an application in a timely manner as specified in the notice described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(d)
Any owner/operator authorized by rule may request to be excluded from the coverage of the rules by applying for an individual or area UIC permit.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h.

Source

Source: 49 FR 45309, Nov. 15, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; and 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

Source

Source: 49 FR 20197, May 11, 1984, unless otherwise noted.