36.22.1414    NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE – PLUGGING OF ABANDONED WELLS

(1) Within 30 days of the commencement of underground injection operations, the applicant must notify the board of the same and the date of commencement in conjunction with the filing of Form 4 for well completions and recompletions.

(2) Within 30 days after the discontinuance of an enhanced recovery or liquid hydrocarbon storage project, the operator of the project must notify the board of the date of such discontinuance and the reasons therefore.

(3) Before any Class II well shall be abandoned, written notice must be served on the board, and approval of the abandonment plan received from the program director or other authorized representative of the board. The abandonment plan must, at a minimum provide for isolation of the injection zone with cement, or mechanical plug capped with cement, and for the isolation and protection of each USDW in such a manner as to prevent movement of fluids between USDWs.

(4) Injection wells which fail a mechanical integrity test (MIT), or which otherwise have lost mechanical integrity, will be immediately removed from service and promptly repaired or plugged for abandonment within 180 days of the failed test or discovery of lost mechanical integrity unless otherwise ordered by the board; provided, however, that the operator of an injection well that has failed the MIT or has lost mechanical integrity may apply to the program director, or other authorized representative of the board, to defer repair or plugging. Any deferment granted will be under such conditions of physical isolation of the injection zone, or monitoring and reporting requirements deemed necessary under the circumstances to protect any USDWs penetrated by the wellbore. Up to a two year deferment may be granted administratively from the date of the failed test, but will not be extended without consent of the board. The board may order further deferment for up to two years, after notice and hearing, upon a showing that all USDWs are protected.

(5) Injection well operators will report the status of each unplugged injection well in its monthly injection reports on Form 5. The operator will notify the board of any well which the operator expects to be shut-in or temporarily abandoned for a period of six months or more. Any injection well which has been shut-in or temporarily abandoned for a period in excess of two years must be properly plugged and abandoned. An operator may apply for a plugging deferment as provided in paragraph (4) above upon a showing of reasonable cause and demonstration of nonendangerment to USDWs.

History: 82-11-111, MCA; IMP, 82-11-111, 82-11-121, 82-11-123, 82-11-124, 82-11-127, 82-11-137, MCA; NEW, 1992 MAR p. 2171 and 1996 MAR p. 1308, Eff. 5/10/96.