La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § XIX-407

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

Section XIX-407 - Application Requirements for Enhanced Recovery Projects

A. An enhanced recovery project shall be permitted only by order of the commissioner after notice and public hearing.

B. The application for a permit authorizing an enhanced recovery project shall contain the following:

1. the names and addresses of the operator or operators of the project;

2. in addition to the information on the map required in §405. B.1 above, show the lease, group of leases, unit or units included within the proposed project;

3. the common source or sources of supply in which all wells are currently completed;

4. the name, description and depth of each common source of supply to be affected;

5. a log of a representative well completed in the common source or sources of supply;

6. a description of the existing or proposed casing programs for injection wells, and the proposed method of testing all casing;

7. a description of the injection medium to be used, its source or sources and the estimated amounts to be injected daily;

8. for a project within an allocated pool, a tabulation showing recent gas-oil ratios and oil and water production tests for each of the producing oil and/or gas wells;

9. the proposed plan of development of the area included within the project; and

10. a schematic diagram of existing and/or proposed injection well(s) as set out in §405. B.3 of this Order.

C. A copy of the application shall be mailed to each operator offsetting the project as shown on the application within five days after the application is filed. An affidavit of compliance with this rule shall be filed on or before the hearing.

D. Injectivity Tests and Pilot Projects

1. Injectivity Test. The commissioner may administratively approve for a period of one week an injectivity test in order to determine the injection rate, injectivity index, and/or pressure analysis of a well for enhanced recovery.

a. Requests for injectivity tests must include the following:

i. well name and number;

ii. serial number;

iii. Form WH-1 of the well;

iv. schematic diagram of the well;

v. sand, reservoir, and field;

vi. brief discussion of the proposed test.

b. The commissioner must be provided with the results of the injectivity test after completion.

2. Pilot Projects. The commissioner may administratively approve pilot projects for enhanced recovery for a period of six months from the date of initiation of injection.

a. Requests for pilot projects must include Form UIC-2 EOR for each well to be used for injection within the project and such additional information the commissioner deems necessary to justify the approval of the pilot project.

b. Wells used for injection within the pilot project are exempt from the provisions of §409 of this Order.

c. Within 10 days of initiation of injection the operator must notify the commissioner in writing the date injection actually commenced.

d. To continue operation beyond the six-month pilot project approval, the operator must obtain approval of an enhanced recovery project (prior to the expiration date of the administratively approved six-month pilot project) pursuant to the rules of procedure for conducting hearings before the Commissioner of Conservation, R.S. 30:5(C), R.S. 30:6, and §405. A and B, §407 A, B, and C of this Order.

e. In the event the pilot project is unsuccessful, the operator must submit a letter to the commissioner requesting termination of such project.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § XIX-407

Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 26:2808 (December 2000).

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