La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § XIX-405

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XIX-405 - Application Requirements for New Enhanced Recovery Injection and New Saltwater Disposal Wells

A. Each application for the approval of a new enhanced recovery injection well or disposal well shall be filed on Form MD-10-R and shall be verified by a duly authorized representative of the operator. The original and one copy of the application and two complete sets of attachments shall be furnished to the commissioner. An application for the approval of an injection well which is a part of a proposed enhanced recovery operation may be consolidated with the application for the approval of the enhanced recovery project (see §407).

B. The application for the approval of an enhanced recovery injection or disposal well or wells shall be accompanied by:

1. a map showing the disposal well or enhanced recovery project area for which a permit is sought and the applicable area of review (for individual wells-1/4 mile radius; for enhanced recovery projects-the project area plus a circumscribing area the width of which is 1/4 mile) and the following information:

a. within the area of review, the map must show the number or name and location of all existing producing wells, injection wells, abandoned wells and dry holes;

b. identification of the surface owner of the land on which the enhanced recovery injection or disposal is to be located within the area of review;

c. identification of each operator of a producing leasehold within the area of review;

d. the map may also show surface bodies of water, mines (surface and subsurface), quarries and other pertinent surface features including residences and roads, and faults if known or projected; and

e. only information on file with the Office of Conservation and pertinent information known to the applicant is required to be included on this map;

2. if the well has been drilled, a copy of the Well History and Work Resume Report (WH-1) and any available electric or radioactive log of the well. A descriptive statement of the proposed zone to be used for injection or disposal. The approximate depth of said zone in the case of undrilled wells along with an electric or radioactive log of a nearby well, if available;

3. a schematic diagram of the well showing:

a. the total depth, drilled out depth or plugged back depth of the well;

b. the depth of the top of the injection or disposal interval;

c. the geological name of the injection or disposal zone;

d. the depths of the tops and bottoms of the casing and amount of cement used to cement each string of casing (every well used for injection shall be cased, cemented and tested in accordance with §415 of this Order);

e. the size of the casing and tubing, and the depth of the packer; and

f. the depth of the base of the deepest USDW;

4. information showing that injection into the proposed zone will not initiate fractures through the overlying strata which could enable the injection fluid or formation fluid to enter an underground source of drinking water. This requirement will be satisfied upon proper demonstration by the applicant that the pressure in the well at the depth of injection shall not exceed 75 percent of the pressure needed to fracture the formation;

5. proposed operating data:

a. daily injection rates and pressures;

b. geologic names, depths and location of injection fluid sources;

c. qualitative and quantitative analysis of water from two or more existing water wells within 1/4 mile of proposed enhanced recovery injection or disposal well or wells. Give location of said water wells and date(s) samples were taken, or statement why samples were not submitted;

d. qualitative and quantitative analysis of representative sample of water to be injected;

e. geological name of injection zone and vertical distance separating top of injection zone from base of the deepest USDW, and a geological description of each major separating bed including individual bed thickness; and

f. geological name, if known, and depth of the base of the deepest USDW.

C. Area of Review for Enhanced Oil Recovery Wells Injecting Carbon Dioxide

1. The area of review (AOR) will be the approved enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project area plus the surrounding region where USDWs may be endangered by the carbon dioxide (CO₂) injection activities, at a minimum, no less than 1/4 mile beyond the project area. The AOR shall extend no closer than 1/2 mile, at a minimum, to any EOR well injecting or permitted to inject CO₂. For EOR projects injecting CO₂ that are permitted as of the effective date of these regulations, the owner or operator of the project has 30 days from the effective date of these regulations to submit a plan to the commissioner to come into compliance with §405 C, D, and E.

2. If it is determined at any time that the injected CO₂ and associated reservoir fluids have migrated beyond the boundary of the approved EOR project area, the AOR shall be redefined to extend, at a minimum, no less than an additional 1/4 mile beyond the migrating front.

3. The owner or operator of a class II EOR CO₂ injection well must submit a plan acceptable to the commissioner to periodically reevaluate the AOR for the proposed CO₂ EOR project and perform corrective action for any identified deficient wells. The AOR must be reevaluated on a frequency not to exceed five years.

4. The owner or operator of the class II EOR CO₂ injection well must identify all penetrations within the defined AOR including active and abandoned wells, underground mines, and any other man-made penetrations that penetrate the confining zone above the permitted EOR injection zone.

5. The owner or operator must determine which wells within the AOR have been constructed and/or plugged in a manner that prevents movement of CO₂ or other fluids that may endanger USDWs, and any wells which may require corrective action to ensure protection of USDWs.

6. For phased implementation of an EOR project injecting CO₂, the commissioner may allow injection operations to commence prior to a complete evaluation of all wellbores within the AOR if the operator presents a plan acceptable to the commissioner to complete the evaluation and perform any required corrective action in advance of the injected carbon dioxide and associated reservoir fluids migration to the area. The plan must include a method to monitor the injected carbon dioxide and associated reservoir fluids to ensure that the AOR review and any corrective action is performed at least 1/2 mile ahead of the boundary of the migrating front.

D. Corrective Action for Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects Injecting Carbon Dioxide

1. Owners or operators of class II EOR CO₂ injection wells must perform corrective action on all wells in the area of review that the commissioner has determined to require corrective action.

2. Owners or operators of class II EOR CO₂ injection wells shall submit a corrective action plan acceptable to the commissioner addressing all identified deficiencies within a time specified by the commissioner.

E. Emergency and Remedial Response for Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects Injecting Carbon Dioxide

1. As part of the permit application for a class II EOR CO₂ well, the owner or operator must provide the commissioner with an emergency and remedial response plan that outlines the actions the owner or operator must take to address movement of the injection or formation fluids that may cause an endangerment to a USDW during construction and operational periods.

2. If the owner or operator obtains evidence that the injected carbon dioxide and/or associated reservoir fluids are no longer confined to the permitted EOR injection zone or may cause an endangerment to a USDW, the owner or operator must:

a. take all steps reasonably necessary to identify, characterize, and control any release;

b. notify the commissioner within 24 hours; and

c. implement the emergency and remedial response plan approved by the commissioner.

3. The owner or operator shall review the emergency and remedial response plan developed under §405. E.1 periodically, but at least once every five years. Based on this review, the owner or operator shall submit an amended emergency and remedial response plan or demonstrate to the commissioner that no amendment to the emergency and remedial response plan is needed. Any amendments to the emergency and remedial response plan must be approved by the commissioner and are subject to the permit modification requirements at §411, as appropriate. Amended plans or demonstrations shall be submitted to the commissioner as follows:

a. within one year of an AOR reevaluation;

b. following any significant changes to the EOR project, such as the addition of injection wells or the reclassification of wells; or

c. when required by the commissioner.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § XIX-405

Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 26:2807 (December 2000), Amended LR 421670 (10/1/2016).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:4 et seq.