Rule 1501:9-11-09 | Plugging with prepared clay.
(A) For all wells drilled with cable tools that are plugged with prepared clay, a clay slurry shall be placed in the following intervals in the well bore:
(1) From total depth to a minimum of five hundred feet above the top of the lowest reservoir rock penetrated or perforated.
(2) From a minimum of fifty feet below the base of each succeeding reservoir rock formation to a minimum of two hundred feet above the top of such formation, until the plugging operation has been completed to within a minimum of one hundred feet of the bottom of the surface casing.
(3) From approximately fifty feet below the base of the fresh water strata to a minimum of thirty inches below the grade level.
(4) Within the permitted area of an underground mine, a mechanical bridge plug shall be placed in the wellbore a minimum of two hundred feet below the mineable coal seam, and the wellbore shall be filled with cement from the top of the mechanical bridge plug to within a minimum of thirty inches below the grade level. The person authorized to plug a well and the coal owner shall make reasonable efforts to coordinate plugging to minimize any potential adverse effect to the mining operation and/or future re-plugging of the well.
(B) During the plugging operation, the person shall make a good faith effort to recover all casing, other than conductor pipe, that is not cemented. When a string of casing has been withdrawn by either removing the casing above the casing seat, or by parting the casing string, an approved precast concrete plug may be lowered in place either on the casing seat or on the parted casing point to serve as a base for a prepared clay plug. If the surface casing is parted during the pulling operation, and cannot be recovered or removed, the well will be filled from the previous set plug to thirty inches below grade level with prepared clay.
(C) The chief may also require or approve the placing of brush and stone bridges, and/or mechanical bridges in the well bore or casings, when in the chief's judgment such bridges will be necessary to ensure that the prepared clay placed in the well remains at the point in the well where such prepared clay had been placed.
(D) If it is determined by the inspector that borehole conditions render compliance with the plugging requirements of this rule impossible or impractical or if it is determined by the inspector that the requirements of this rule will not fulfill the requirements set forth under paragraph (A) of rule 1501:9-11-03 of the Administrative Code, the inspector may designate an alternate thickness and method of emplacement of the plugs to ensure compliance with paragraph (A) of rule 1501:9-11-03 of the Administrative Code.
(E) In order to promote enhanced recovery, including but not limited to secondary and tertiary operations, the chief or his authorized representative may require special plugging conditions.
Last updated April 12, 2024 at 4:10 PM
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