R 299.2391 Testing before operation of wells.

Rule 2391. (1) Before injecting fluid into a well newly drilled for disposal, storage, natural or artificial brine production, or into a previously existing well newly converted for storage, disposal, or artificial brine production, a permittee shall provide for a demonstration of internal mechanical integrity of the wellhead, casing, tubing, and annular seal assembly if present, utilizing either a pressure test at a surface pressure of not less than 100 psig above the maximum expected operating surface pressure of the well or an equivalent test approved by the supervisor of mineral wells. The test shall be conducted by a qualified person. A satisfactory pressure test shall meet the following requirements: (a) For a storage or disposal well, the test shall show a change of pressure of not more than 3% over a period of 60 minutes. (b) For an artificial or natural brine production well, the test shall show a loss of pressure of not more than 5% over a period of 30 minutes. (2) Before injecting fluid into a well newly drilled for disposal, storage, or artificial brine production or a previously existing well newly converted for storage, disposal, or artificial brine production, a permittee of a well shall provide for a test of the external mechanical integrity of the innermost casing string and the cement sheath and its external seal by a method approved by the supervisor of mineral wells. The test shall be conducted by a qualified person. If a pressure test is used to demonstrate mechanical integrity, the test shall show a change of pressure of not more than 5% over a period of 30 minutes.