SECTION 165:10-11-9. Temporary exemption from plugging requirements

(a)   Scope. The Commission may permit any well which is required to be properly abandoned pursuant to OAC 165:10-11-3, at the request of an operator, to be temporarily abandoned.

(b)   Application. An application for a permit to temporarily exempt a well from the plugging requirement shall be made on Form 1003A completed in its entirety, and submitted to the address indicated on the Form 1003A.

(c)   Permit.

(1)   Any operator seeking approval for temporary abandonment shall submit a notice of intent to temporarily abandon the well, Form 1003A, to the address indicated on the Form 1003A describing the temporary abandonment procedure used.

(2)   The permit will be valid for a period of five (5) years if the well passes a pressure test. The permit will be valid for a period of one (1) year if the well passes a fluid level test. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of any approved temporary abandonment permit, the operator shall return the well to beneficial use in accordance with Commission rules, permanently plug and abandon said well, or apply for a new permit to temporarily abandon the well.

(3)   No temporary abandonment will be approved that does not prevent the contamination of treatable water and/or other natural resources and the leakage of any substance at the surface.

(4)   If the well fails the tests required herein the problem shall be found, corrected and a new test successfully conducted within 30 days or the well shall be plugged and abandoned in accordance with Commission rules.

(5)   Upon successful completion of the work on the well, the operator will submit a new request for temporary abandonment to the address indicated on the Form 1003A.

(d)   Protection of treatable water. The treatable water shall be protected by one or more of the following:

(1)   A drillable, retrievable or temporary bridging plug set above the producing interval and below the top of the cement. The surface shall be capped with a valve in operational condition. A pressure test will be required by the appropriate District Office.

(2)   A packer run on tubing and set above the producing interval and below the top of the cement. The well shall be equipped with suitable wellhead packoff equipment and be closed to the atmosphere. A pressure test will be required by the appropriate Conservation Division District Office.

(3)   A fluid level test determined by use of equipment approved by the Conservation Division's Field Operations Department. The fluid level must be no higher than 150 feet below the base of the treatable water. The Field Inspector shall be notified at least 48 hours beforehand to be afforded the opportunity of witnessing the procedure. Additional tests may be required at any time at the request of the Conservation Division's Field Operations Department. The wellhead shall be closed to the atmosphere.

(4)   A casing inspection log confirming the mechanical integrity of the production casing submitted to the appropriate Conservation Division's District Office.

(5)   Alternate methods of testing may be approved by the Conservation Division's Field Operations Department by written application and upon showing that such a test will provide information sufficient to determine that the well does not pose a threat to natural resources.

(e)   Surface facilities. The well site of a well with temporary exemption from the plugging requirements shall be kept in a neat and orderly manner, including lease roads, with a legible sign showing the name of the operator, operator telephone number, well name, number, and the legal location.

(f)   Termination of permit. The permit for a temporary exemption from plugging shall terminate and plugging operations shall commence within 30 days after:

(1)   The time interval set has lapsed and a renewal has not been granted.

(2)   The lease or unit on which the exempted well was located has become nonproductive.

(3)   The fluid level has risen to a point less than 150 feet below the base of the treatable water.

(4)   The Conservation Division's Field Operations Department has determined that the surface area or wellhead equipment requirement does not meet the standards required by the Commission.

(g)   Exception to termination of permit. An exception to the termination of an exemption from the plugging requirements shall be allowed if:

(1)   An application to convert the well to a disposal, injection, or supply well has been filed with the Commission, and proper notice, according to OAC 165:5, has been met.

(2)   An application requesting an exception to the plugging rules has been filed with the Commission and an exception has been granted by an order of the Commission.

[Source: Added at 9 Ok Reg 2337, eff 6-25-92; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 2198, eff 7-1-97; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2498, eff 7-11-09; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1121, eff 1-1-20]