SECTION 165:10-5-2. Approval of injection wells or disposal wells

(a)   The subsurface injection or disposal of any substance for any purpose is prohibited except upon approval of the Commission pursuant to 165:10-5-5 or 165:10-5-12 and 165:10-5-13. This authorization may be conditioned upon the applicant taking corrective action to protect treatable water as specified by the Commission. The Commission may fine an operator up to $5,000.00 for any violation of this subsection.

(b)   Except as provided in (c) and (d) in this Section, every well used for injection or disposal shall be cased and tested in accordance with 165:10-3-4 and 165:10-5-6.

(c)   The testing requirements of 165:10-5-6 shall not apply to wells permitted by Commission order for subsurface injection of onsite reserve pit fluids.

(d)   The Conservation Division may approve a Form 1015 application to convert an existing well for injection or disposal if the well does not otherwise comply with 165:10-3-4 if:

(1)   The operator attaches to the Form 1015 application a description of an alternate method of protecting treatable water.

(2)   The Conservation Division approves the proposed alternate method.

(3)   The application is filed in accordance with OAC 165:5-7 if a hearing is required.

(4)   The application is not protested.

(e)   Any proposed injection or disposal well which is within one-half (1/2) mile of any public water supply well shall not be approved without notice and hearing, and the Commission shall not issue an order authorizing injection or disposal into said well until the applicant proves at the hearing that said well shall not pollute said water supply well. A commercial disposal well shall not be approved within a designated wellhead protection area.

[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 2295, eff 6-25-92; Amended at 9 Ok Reg 2337, eff 6-25-92; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2498, eff 7-11-09; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 768, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1121, eff 10-1-20]