36.21.671    ABANDONMENT OF FLOWING WELLS

(1) The flow of flowing wells to be abandoned shall be confined or restricted by cement grout applied under pressure, or by the use of a suitable well packer, or a wooden or cast plug placed at the bottom of the confining formation immediately above the flowing water-bearing zone. Cement grout or concrete shall be used to effectively fill the well to land surface.

(2) Flowing wells should be made static before plugging with cement if they are not contained by casing. If unable to make the well static with heavy mud, heavy weight cement should be pumped into the hole from the bottom up at a brisk rate. Cement mix should be at least twice the volume needed to plug the well. The first cement pumped out will be diluted and should be discarded.

(3) If the flowing well is controlled by the casing, a pressure reading should be taken and sufficient cement should be pumped in the casing from the top so that the cement will enter the aquifer.

History: 37-43-202(3), MCA; IMP, 37-43-202(3), MCA; NEW, 1986 MAR p. 1699, Eff. 10/17/86.