Mechanical integrity

1. Injection and production wells must maintain mechanical integrity until the wells are plugged under the approved plugging and abandonment plan. 2. Before putting a new injection well into service, its mechanical integrity must be tested. A schedule and methods for mechanical integrity testing must be included in the permit, and are permit conditions. The schedule and methods must meet the following requirements: a. One of the following methods must be used to evaluate the absence of significant leaks in the casing, tubing, or packer: (1) Following an initial pressure test, the tubing casing annulus pressure must be monitored with sufficient frequency to be representative, as determined by the department, while maintaining an annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface; (2) Pressure test with liquid or gas; or (3) An alternative method if specified in the permit or is approved by the department through a technical revision. b. The absence of significant fluid movement into any unauthorized zone through vertical channels adjacent to the injection bore must be shown by the results of a temperature, neutron, or noise log, e.g., cement bond log. If the nature of the casing precludes using a log, then sealing records may be used to prove that the sealing material will prevent significant fluid movement. If sealing records are used, the monitoring program must be designed to verify the absence of significant fluid movement. c. Mechanical integrity of each injection well that has not been plugged or converted must be demonstrated at least once every five years or on a schedule determined by the department. d. Before resuming injection into any injection well that has been damaged by surface or subsurface activity or that has undergone an activity that may jeopardize its mechanical integrity, such as the use of downhole cutting and under reaming tools, the operator must demonstrate the well's mechanical integrity. e. If the department determines that an injection well lacks mechanical integrity, it must give written notice of this determination to the well's operator. Unless the department requires immediate cessation, the operator shall cease injection into the well within forty-eight hours upon receipt of the notice. The department will either require the plugging of the well or require the operator to perform such work as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into unauthorized zones. Well repair or plugging must be completed within one hundred twenty days upon receipt of the notice. If the well is repaired rather than plugged, retesting of the well must be completed within one hundred twenty days after the repair is completed. The operator may resume injection upon the department's written approval. f. Results of mechanical integrity testing must be reported under the requirements of section 43-02-02.2-55.