§ 1726.5. Well Construction Requirements.
14 CA ADC § 1726.5Barclays Official California Code of Regulations
14 CCR § 1726.5
§ 1726.5. Well Construction Requirements.
(a) Operators shall design, construct, modify, and maintain gas storage wells and every other well that penetrates the gas storage reservoir of the operator's underground gas storage project to effectively ensure mechanical integrity under anticipated operating conditions for the underground gas storage project. The operator shall ensure that a single point of failure does not pose an immediate threat of loss of control of fluids and make certain that integrity concerns with a gas storage well are identified and addressed before they can become a threat to life, health, property, the environment, or natural resources. This section does not apply to wells that have been plugged and abandoned in accordance with Public Resources Code section 3208.
(A) The primary mechanical barrier is the barrier that is exposed to the withdrawal or injection flow stream. The primary mechanical barrier shall be able to withstand full operating pressure as demonstrated by the pressure testing required under Section 1726.6, subdivision (a)(3), and through annular pressure monitoring as required under Section 1726.7, subdivision (a). An example of a well configuration that meets the minimum requirements for a primary mechanical barrier is a well configuration that includes:
(B) The secondary mechanical barrier is not exposed to the withdrawal or injection flow stream under normal operations. The secondary mechanical barrier shall be able to withstand full operating pressure as demonstrated by the pressure testing required under Section 1726.6, subdivision (a)(3), and casing evaluation logs as required under Section 1726.6, subdivision (a)(2). In the event of a primary mechanical barrier failure, the secondary mechanical barrier shall be able to contain the leaking fluids until the primary mechanical barrier is reestablished. An example of a well configuration that meets the minimum requirements for a secondary mechanical barrier is a well configuration that includes:
(4) The production casing is of sufficient size, weight, grade, competency, and depth to maintain the well integrity, and is compatible with fluid chemical composition. The production casing is designed to accommodate fluids on injection and withdrawal at the maximum expected operational pressures and velocities. The production casing is free of open perforations or holes other than the planned completion interval(s). Perforations created for investigative or remedial work are sealed to establish hydraulic isolation.
(c) If the operator does not demonstrate that a gas storage well meets the criteria of subdivision (b), then the operator shall demonstrate that an alternative method of well design and construction has been employed that effectively adheres to the performance standard of subdivision (a). An alternative method of well design and construction under this subdivision shall include both primary and secondary mechanical well barriers to isolate the storage gas within the storage reservoir and transfer storage gas from the surface into and out of the storage reservoir. The Division will determine on a case-by-case basis whether the operator has effectively demonstrated that a gas storage well that does not conform to the criteria in subdivision (b) meets the performance standard in subdivision (a).
Credits
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013, 3106 and 3180, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3106, 3180, 3220 and 3403.5, Public Resources Code.
History
1. New section filed 6-28-2018; operative 10-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 26).
This database is current through 4/26/24 Register 2024, No. 17.
Cal. Admin. Code tit. 14, § 1726.5, 14 CA ADC § 1726.5
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