§ 1724.10.2. Mechanical Integrity Testing Part Two -- Fluid Migration Behind Casing, Tubing, or...
14 CA ADC § 1724.10.2Barclays Official California Code of Regulations
14 CCR § 1724.10.2
§ 1724.10.2. Mechanical Integrity Testing Part Two -- Fluid Migration Behind Casing, Tubing, or Packer.
(a) In addition to testing under Section 1724.10.1, operators shall periodically test injection wells to demonstrate that there is no fluid migration behind the casing, tubing, or packer. This testing may be accomplished by any of the methods set forth in subdivisions (d) through (f), or other method approved by the Division (including modifications of the methods below when approved by the Division in writing). Operators shall obtain written approval from the Division regarding the testing method prior to performing the tests.
(b) Testing under this section is required within three months after injection has commenced for the first time after a well is approved or reapproved by the Division for injection. Commencing April 1, 2019, subsequent testing under this section is required at least once every two years, with the following exceptions:
(c) On a project or well-specific basis, the Division may approve different testing frequencies from those specified in subdivision (b), and may approve alternative methods for demonstrating an absence of fluid migration behind the casing, tubing, or packer. Any approved variance shall be documented in writing and be based on specific factors identified in the writing, including but not limited to well construction, age of the well, demonstrated quality of cement encasing the well, quality of groundwater in the area, and operational considerations.
(1) Testing shall be conducted while injecting, and the operator shall ensure that adequate fluid can be supplied for the test. The injection rate shall be governed by the ability of the operator to track the radioactive tracer as it moves downward, but the injection rate should be stable and as close to the normal operating injection rate as practical.
(2) If the injection well is equipped with a packer and there is no injection occurring through the casing-tubing annulus, the casing-tubing annulus valve shall be open during testing and there shall be no fluid flow, unless the well is a gas disposal well. If fluid flow is indicated, the test shall be discontinued and the casing-tubing annulus shall be evaluated.
(4) Before conducting the test, a dynamic temperature survey shall be run from at least 200 feet above the packer to the total depth, and a static temperature survey shall be run for the entire length of the well. A casing collar locator shall be run from 200 feet above the packer to the total depth. If the well is not equipped with tubing and packer, then the casing collar locator shall be from 200 feet above the top perforation to the total depth.
(8) The slug of radioactive material shall be followed with the logging tool or the tool shall make repeated passes upward through the slug as it moves down the well. Alternatively, with Division approval, the amount for the slug to go from surface to the tool may be measured. All logging shall be done at a single logging speed which is appropriate for the injection rate to allow quantitative measurements of deflections to be evaluated.
(9) If repeated passes are used, the logs resulting from the slug-tracking exercise should overlap so that the return of radioactivity to the level which existed before the slug's passing is demonstrated for the entire length of the section of the well being tested. The logs of all passes shall be presented as a composite log on a common depth track. If means to differentiate the log traces are available, then no other presentation is required. If the traces cannot be differentiated on the composite log, then they shall also be presented individually.
(4) If the well has not been taken off injection for at least 24 hours before the log is run, comparison with either a second log run six hours after the time the log of record is started or a log from another well at the same site showing no anomalies shall be available to demonstrate normal patterns of temperature change.
(g) The operator shall take immediate action to investigate any anomalies encountered during testing required under this section. If there is any reason to suspect fluid migration, the operator shall take immediate action to prevent damage to public health, safety, and the environment, and shall notify the Division immediately.
Credits
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3106, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3106, Public Resources Code.
History
1. New section filed 2-6-2019; operative 4-1-2019 (Register 2019, No. 6).
This database is current through 4/26/24 Register 2024, No. 17.
Cal. Admin. Code tit. 14, § 1724.10.2, 14 CA ADC § 1724.10.2
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