Injection Well Plugging

Section 730.192  Injection Well Plugging a)         Prior to the well plugging, the owner or operator must flush each Class VI injection well with a buffer fluid, determine bottom-hole reservoir pressure, and perform a final external mechanical integrity test. b)         Well plugging plan.  The owner or operator of a Class VI injection well must prepare, maintain, and comply with a well plugging plan that is acceptable to the Agency.  The requirement to maintain and implement an approved well plugging plan is directly enforceable regardless of whether the requirement is a condition of the permit.  The owner or operator must submit the well plugging plan as part of the permit application, and the well plugging plan must include the following information: 1)         Appropriate tests or measures for determining bottomhole reservoir pressure; 2)         Appropriate testing methods to ensure external mechanical integrity, as specified in Section 730.189; 3)         The type and number of plugs to be used; 4)         The placement of each plug, including the elevation of the top and bottom of each plug; 5)         The type, grade, and quantity of material to be used in plugging.  The material must be compatible with the carbon dioxide stream; and 6)         The method of placement of the plugs. c)         Notice of intent to plug.  The owner or operator must notify the Agency in writing, and USEPA electronically pursuant to Section 730.191(e), at least 60 days before beginning the plugging of a well.  The owner or operator must also provide the revised well plugging plan at the time of this notice if any changes have been made to the original well plugging plan.  The Agency must allow for a shorter notice period if the Agency determines that the shorter notice period is adequate to complete Agency review of the well plugging plan or that well plugging must occur more promptly.  The Agency must approve any amendments to the injection well plugging plan and incorporate the amendments into the permit, and the incorporation of the amendments into the permit is subject to the permit modification requirements set forth in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 704.262 or 704.264, as appropriate. d)         Plugging report.  Within 60 days after plugging, the owner or operator must submit a plugging report to the Agency and electronically to USEPA pursuant to Section 730.191(e).  The plugging report must be certified as accurate by the owner or operator and by the person who performed the plugging operation (if other than the owner or operator).  The owner or operator must retain the well plugging report for 10 years following site closure. BOARD NOTE:  This Section corresponds with 40 CFR 146.92 (2011).