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(i) "Low-Temperature Geothermal Fluid" means naturally heated subterranean fluid with a surface temperature below the boiling point of water at ambient atmospheric pressure.
(j) "Low-Temperature Geothermal Well" means a well drilled to discover, evaluate, produce, or utilize low-temperature geothermal fluids where the fluids will be used for their heat value.
(k) "Low-Temperature Geothermal Field" means an area the supervisor so designates for administrative purposes. The area shall contain at least one well capable of producing low-temperature geothermal fluids in commercial quantities.
(l) "Idle Well" means a well, other than a suspended well, that has not been officially plugged and abandoned, on which the operator has ceased all activity, including but not limited to drilling, production or injection.
(m) "Production Tested" means a well that the operator has tested for temperature, flow rate, and pressure.
(n) "A well capable of producing geothermal fluid in commercial quantities" means a well:
(1) Supplying geothermal fluid to an existing power plant or other facility for the purpose of generating electricity; or
(2) Production tested and scheduled to supply geothermal fluid to a power plant or other facility for the purpose of generating electricity for which:
(A) An application is pending before the California Energy Commission or the California Public Utilities Commission; or
(B) The California Energy Commission or California Public Utilities Commission has approved a site; or
(C) A contract has been executed between the supplier and a user and conditions have been fulfilled that commit the user to build a facility; or
(3) Supplying geothermal fluid or completed and scheduled to supply geothermal fluid to facilities existing, under construction, or committed for construction, for any nonelectric use of geothermal resources, including but not limited to space heating or food processing; or
(4) Production tested and, in the operator's opinion, able to supply sufficient geothermal energy to justify construction of a facility to utilize the energy, and designated capable of production by the supervisor; or
(5) Production tested and found by the supervisor, after a public hearing, to be capable of producing sufficient geothermal energy to be a commercially viable geothermal development project.
(o) "Usable Thermal Energy" means the usable heat energy contained in geothermal fluid, expressed in British Thermal Units or gigajoules.
(p) "Notice" means an application for permission to do work on a well.
(q) "Drilling Log" means the recorded description of the lithologic sequence encountered while drilling a well.
(r) "Drilling Operations" means the actual drilling or redrilling of a well for exploration, production, observation, or injection, including the running and cementing of casing and the installation of wellhead equipment. "Drilling Operations" do not include perforating, logging, or related operations after all the casing has been cemented.
(s) "Suspension" means the status assigned to a well that is temporarily abandoned pursuant to specified plugging requirements that are selected by the division from the plugging and abandonment requirements contained in Sections 1980, 1981, 1981.1, and 1981.2 of this subchapter, and the operations necessary to cause temporary abandonment have been carried out by the operator and approved by the division.
(t) With respect to well depth:
(1) "Shallow" means deeper than 25 feet (about 8 meters) but no deeper than 250 feet (about 76 meters);
(2) "Intermediate" means deeper than 250 feet (about 76 meters) but no deeper than 1,000 feet (about 305 meters);
(3) "Deep" means deeper than 1,000 feet (about 305 meters).
(u) "BOPE" is an acronym for blowout prevention equipment.
(v) "Mineral Extraction Well" means a well drilled, converted, or reworked for the purpose of discovering, evaluating, or producing minerals or other products in solution from naturally heated subterranean fluids. A low- or high-temperature geothermal well may also be a mineral extraction well.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3712 and 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3714, Public Resources Code.
s 1920.2. Field Designation.
The supervisor may designate geothermal fields for administrative purposes. A field shall contain at least one well capable of producing geothermal resources in commercial quantities. The supervisor shall establish the boundaries by graphically constructing a one-mile square around each well capable of producing geothermal resources in commercial quantities. Each such well shall be at the center of a square.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3712, Public Resources Code.
s 1920.3. Field Rules.
When sufficient geologic and engineering information is available, the supervisor may adopt or amend existing field rules for any geothermal resource field or area. Before adopting or amending field rules, the supervisor shall notify affected persons, including but not limited to operators, landowners, and any utilities or other commercial users, and allow at least 30 days for them to comment on the proposed rules. The supervisor shall notify affected persons in writing of the adoption of the rules.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3712, Public Resources Code.
s 1921. Duties of the Supervisor.
s 1921.1. Duties of the Geothermal Resources Board.
s 1930. General.
All wells shall be drilled in such a manner as to protect or minimize damage to the environment, usable ground waters (if any), geothermal resources, life, health and property.
s 1930.1. Designation of Agent.
s 1931. Notice of Intention to Drill.
Before an owner or operator can commence drilling a well, a Notice of Intention to Drill must be filed on a division form (OGG105-11/93) and submitted to the division, accompanied by the appropriate fee and bond (see Section 1932). The operator shall not commence drilling until the division approves the Notice of Intention to Drill. The Notice shall include all information required on the division form, and the following:
(a) A map showing the parcel boundaries and the location of the proposed well.
(b) If a government agency has prepared an environmental document for the proposed well, the name and address of the agency or a copy of the final environmental documents.
If operations on an exploratory well or observation well for which the division is required to prepare environmental documents have not commenced within two years from the date the Notice of Intention to Drill was approved, the division shall cancel the notice unless, prior to the expiration date, the operator requests an extension on a Rework/Supplementary Notice.
If operations on a development well, exploratory well, or observation well for which the division is not required to prepare environmental documents have not commenced one year from the date the notice is approved, the division shall cancel the notice unless, prior to the expiration date, the operator requests a time extension on a Rework/Supplementary Notice. The division may extend these time limits at its discretion.
(c) Such other information as the supervisor may require.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3712 and 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712, 3724, and 3724.1, Public Resources Code.
s 1931.1. Rework/Supplementary Notice.
If there is any change in the original Notice of Intention, or if the operator plans to deepen, redrill, plug, or perform any operation that will permanently alter the well casing, a Rework/Supplementary Notice must be filed with the division. A fee and/or bond may be required if, for example, the proposal concerns entering a plugged and abandoned or suspended well.
If the drilling operations the division approved on a Rework/Supplementary Notice have not commenced one year from the date the notice is approved, the division shall cancel the notice unless, prior to the expiration date, the operator requests a time extension on a Rework/Supplementary Notice. The division may extend this time limit at its discretion.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712 and 3724, Public Resources Code.
s 1931.2. Notice to Convert to Injection.
An operator planning to convert an existing well to an injection or disposal well, even if there will be no change in mechanical condition, must file a Rework/Supplementary Notice with the division and the division must approve the notice before injection is commenced.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712 and 3724, Public Resources Code.
s 1931.3. Notices to Drill Individual Shallow Observation Wells and Notices to Drill Shallow Observation Well Programs Are Required.
s 1931.4. Supplementary Notice.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712 and 3724, Public Resources Code.
s 1931.5. Unstable Terrain.
If the construction of drilling sites, roads, sumps, steam transmission lines, and other construction attendant to geothermal operations could cause or could be affected by slumping, landslides, or unstable earth conditions, the supervisor shall require that the operator submit a written analysis of the proposed work prior to the commencement of any construction and prior to approving a permit to drill. At the request of the supervisor, the report shall be prepared by a civil engineer, licensed in the state and experienced in soils engineering; and if slumping or landsliding could be involved, the requested report shall also be prepared by an engineering geologist, certified in the state and experienced in slope stability and related problems. No permit to drill shall be approved unless the report indicates that the work is planned in such a manner as to reasonably mitigate the problem throughout the life of the project.
Upon completion of any construction authorized by the supervisor pursuant to this section, the operator shall certify in writing to the supervisor that the work was carried out according to the approved plans subject only to changes approved by the supervisor.
s 1932. Fees.
The appropriate fee, as listed below, shall be paid when the Notice of Intention to Drill is filed. (Refer to Section 1920.1 for definitions of terms and depth limitations.)
(a) $25 Fee.
(1) Shallow low-temperature geothermal well.
(2) Shallow observation well.
(b) $200 Fee.
(1) Shallow observation well program of up to and including 25 such wells (except as provided in PRC Section 3724.1).
(2) Intermediate depth low-temperature geothermal well.
(3) Intermediate depth observation well.
(c) $500 Fee.
(1) Intermediate depth observation well program of up to and including 5 such wells.
(2) Development well, other than low-temperature, to any depth.
(3) Deep low-temperature geothermal well.
(4) Injection well.
(5) Deep observation well.
(d) $1,000 Fee. Exploratory well, other than low-temperature, to any depth.
(e) If a Notice of Intention to Drill is cancelled, the division shall refund the fee paid by the operator, minus the division's administrative costs for processing and reviewing the notice.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3712 and 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3724 and 3724.1, Public Resources Code
s 1933. Statewide Fee-Assessment Date.
June 15 of each year is established as the statewide fee-assessment date. Assessments for all geothermal operators shall be annually fixed on or before June 15. The funds provided by fees are for the supervision of geothermal resource wells during the fiscal year following the statewide fee-assessment date.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code.
s 1933.1. Establishment of Annual Well Fees.
To establish the annual fee that must be charged to each geothermal well operator, the department, on or before the statewide fee-assessment date shall:
(a) Make an estimate of the sum of the well drilling fees that will be filed by operators during the fiscal year following the fee assessment date.
(b) Establish the appropriation for the supervision of geothermal resource wells from the amount proposed in the Governor's Budget. The appropriation shall be adjusted by any changes that have occurred during the legislative review process.
(c) Establish the estimated surplus or deficit from the current and prior fiscal year by calculating the cost of the supervision of geothermal resource wells and the actual revenues therefrom.
(d) Estimate the amount assessable to geothermal operators by taking the appropriation amount (paragraph b), deducting the well drilling fees (paragraph a), and adding or deducting the current year and prior year adjustments (paragraph c).
(e) Determine the total number of chargeable wells by identifying the total number of producing, service, and idle wells that existed at any time during the preceding calendar year in the state. A well that has changed ownership one or more times during the preceding calendar year shall be counted only once, and assignment of charges shall be made to the operator of record on December 31 of that year. "Chargeable wells" shall not include:
(1) Any well used for observation purposes.
(2) Any well for which the supervisor has approved a suspension. However, a well must be suspended for the entire calendar year to be nonchargeable.
(3) Any low-temperature well.
(f) Determine the annual well fee by dividing the amount assessable by the total number of chargeable wells.
(g) Determine the amount to be charged to each operator by multiplying the total number of chargeable wells of record on the previous December 31 by the annual well fee.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3724, 3724.1 and 3724.5, Public Resources Code.
s 1933.2. Notification of Assessment.
On or before June 15 of each year, the department shall notify each operator of that operator's assessment. If an operator believes an error has been made, the operator shall notify the supervisor of the division on or before July 1 following the notification of assessment.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code.
s 1933.3. Establishment and Certification of Assessment Roll.
(a) The director of the department shall create an Annual Assessment Roll as of July 1 of each year. The assessment roll shall be comprised of the name of each operator, a billing address, the number of chargeable wells as identified by the provisions of Section 1933.1(e) of this subchapter, and the amount charged.
(b) On or before July 1, the director shall transmit the roll to the State Controller, together with a certification stating that appeals have (or have not) been adjudicated and the assessment roll contains the true and correct amounts to be assessed to each operator.
(c) The director shall keep on file and have available for public inspection during regular office hours, a listing of the chargeable wells by operator.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code.
s 1933.4. Payments and Penalties.
(a) The charges levied and assessed are due and payable to the State Treasurer on the first of July of each year.
One-half of the charges shall be delinquent if not paid on or before August 15th of each year. The remaining one-half of the charges shall be delinquent if not paid on or before the first of February of the following year.
(b) Any person who fails to pay any charge within the time required shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount due, plus interest on the charge due at the rate of 1 1/2% per month, or fraction thereof, computed from the delinquent date of the assessment until and including the date of payment.
(c) Any person who fails to pay any charge or penalty shall be subjected to the provisions of Sections 3772-3775 of the Public Resources Code.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3724.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3724.5 and 3724.6, Public Resources Code.
s 1934. Well Spacing.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712, 3757, 3757.1, 3757.2, 3758, 3759, and 3761, Public Resources Code.
s 1934.1. Violation of Spacing.
s 1935. Casing Requirements.
All wells shall be cased in such a manner as to protect or minimize damage to the environment, usable ground waters and surface waters (if any), geothermal resources, life, health and property. The permanent wellhead completion equipment shall be attached to the production casing or to the intermediate casing if production casing does not reach to the surface.
Division specifications for casing strings shall be determined on a well-to-well basis. All casing strings reaching the surface shall provide adequate anchorage for blowout-prevention equipment, hole pressure control and protection for all natural resources. The following casing requirements are general but should be used as guidelines in submitting proposals to drill.
s 1935.1. Conductor Pipe.
Conductor pipe shall be cemented with sufficient cement to fill the annular space from the shoe to the surface. An annular blowout preventer, or its equivalent, approved by the division, shall be installed on conductor pipe for exploratory wells and development wells when deemed necessary by the division. The division may waive this requirement for low-temperature geothermal wells.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3739 and 3740, Public Resources Code.
s 1935.2. Surface Casing.
Surface casing shall provide for control of formation fluids, for protection of shallow usable groundwater, and for adequate anchorage for blowout prevention equipment. All surface casing shall be cemented with sufficient cement to fill the annular space from the shoe to the surface. The following requirements may be modified or waived by the division for low-temperature geothermal wells.
(a) Length of Surface Casing.
(1) In areas where subsurface geological conditions are variable or unknown, surface casing in general shall be set at a depth equaling or exceeding 10 percent of the proposed total depths of wells drilled in such areas. A minimum of 60 meters (about 200 feet) and a maximum of 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) of surface casing shall be set.
(2) In areas of known high formation pressure, surface casing shall be set at a depth determined by the division after a careful study of geological conditions.
(3) Within the confines of designated geothermal fields, the depth at which surface casing shall be set shall be determined by the division on the basis of known field conditions.
(b) Cementing Point for Surface Casing.
Surface casing shall be cemented through a sufficient series of low permeability, competent lithologic units (such as claystone or siltstone) to ensure a solid anchor for blowout prevention equipment and to protect usable groundwater and surface water from contamination. A second string of surface casing may be required if the first string has not been cemented through a sufficient series of low permeability, competent lithologic units, and either a rapidly increasing thermal gradient or rapidly increasing formation pressures are encountered.
(c) Drilling Fluid Return Temperatures. The temperature of the return drilling fluid shall be monitored continuously during the drilling of the surface casing hole. Either a continuous temperature monitoring device shall be installed and maintained in working condition, or the temperature shall be read manually. In either case, return drilling fluid temperatures shall be entered into the log book after each joint of pipe has been drilled down (every 10 meters, about 30 feet).
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3739 and 3740, Public Resources Code.
s 1935.3. Intermediate Casing.
Intermediate casing shall be required for protection against anomalous pressure zones, cave-ins, washouts, abnormal temperature zones, uncontrollable lost circulation zones or other drilling hazards. Intermediate casing strings shall be, if possible, cemented solid to the surface.
s 1935.4. Production Casing.
Production casing may be set above or through the producing or injection zone and cemented above the objective zones. Sufficient cement shall be used to exclude overlying formation fluids from the zone, to segregate zones, and to prevent movement of fluids behind the casing into zones that contain usable groundwater. Production casing shall either be cemented with sufficient cement to fill the annular space from the shoe to the surface or lapped into intermediate casing, if run. Production casing lapped into an intermediate string, shall overlap at least 15 meters (about 50 feet); the lap shall be cemented solidly; and shall be pressure tested to ensure its integrity.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3739 and 3740, Public Resources Code.
s 1936. Electric Logging.
All wells, except observation wells and low-temperature thermal wells, shall be logged with an induction electrical log, or equivalent, from total depth to the bottom of the conductor pipe, except in the case where air is used as the drilling medium. This requirement may be waived by the supervisor and may vary depending on geologic conditions as stated in Section 1935.2(a)(2).
s 1937. Records.
s 1937.1. Records Required to Be Filed with the Division.
(a) Drilling Log and Core Record. The drilling log shall show the lithologic characteristics and depths of formations encountered, the depths and temperatures of water-bearing and steam-bearing strata, the temperatures, chemical compositions, and other chemical and physical characteristics of fluids encountered from time to time, so far as ascertained.
The core record shall show the depth, lithologic character and fluid content of cores obtained, so far as determined.
(b) Well History. The history shall describe in detail in chronological order on a daily basis all significant operations carried out and equipment used during all phases of drilling, testing, completion, recompletion and plugging and abandonment of the well.
(c) Well Summary Report. The well summary report shall accompany the core record and well history reports. It is designed to show data pertinent to the condition of a well at the time of completion of work done.
(d) Production Records. Monthly production records shall be filed with the division on or before the 30th day of each month, for the last preceding calendar month.
(e) Injection Records. Monthly injection records shall be filed with the division on or before the 30th day of each month, for the last preceding calendar month.
(f) Other Records. The following shall also be filed with the division, if run: electric logs, physical or chemical logs, tests, water analyses, and surveys (including temperature surveys and directional surveys).
s 1937.2. Filing of Records.
s 1937.3. Records As Evidence.
s 1937.4. Publications.
s 1938. Transfer of Property.
s 1940. Authority.
s 1941. General.
Blowout-Prevention Equipment (BOPE) installations shall include high temperature-rated packing units and ram rubbers, if available, and shall have a minimum working-pressure rating equal to or greater than the lesser of:
(a) A pressure equal to the product of the depth of the BOPE anchor string in meters times 0.2 bar per meter. (Feet times one (1) psi per foot)
(b) A pressure equal to the rated burst pressure of the BOPE anchor string.
(c) A pressure equal to 138 bars (2,000 psi).
Specific inspections and tests of the BOPE shall be made by the division. The requirements for such tests will be included in the division's answer to the notice of intention to drill.
s 1942. BOPE Guide.
The division shall prepare a guide for establishing the blowout prevention equipment requirements specified in the division's approval of proposed operations.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3739, Public Resources Code.
s 1942.1. Unstable Areas.
Drilling any wells, including water wells, is prohibited in areas containing fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, mud pots, etc. (unstable areas), unless the division determines, after a thorough geological investigation, that drilling in an unstable area is feasible. In this case, a special permit may be issued. The following may be required for a well drilled in an unstable area:
(a) A division engineer shall be present at the well at all times during the initial phases of drilling until the surface casing has been cemented and the BOPE has been pressure-tested satisfactorily. The division engineer may observe all drilling operations at the well and if, in his or her opinion, conditions warrant, may order a second or third string of surface casing to be run.
(b) The operator, while drilling the surface casing hole, shall continuously monitor and record the following:
(1) Drilling fluid temperature (in and out),
(2) Drilling fluid pit level,
(3) Drilling fluid pump volume,
(4) Drilling fluid weight, and
(5) Drilling rate.
(c) A drilling fee in addition to the fee specified in Section 1932, up to the maximum of $1,000 per well, depending on the geologic conditions in the area.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3724, 3739, 3740, and 3741, Public Resources Code.
s 1942.2. Cable Tool Drilling.
This method of drilling, or any other method of drilling, will be allowed, at the discretion of the supervisor, with certain stipulations in the following cases only:
(a) Areas where formation pressures are known to be hydrostatic and are known to contain geothermal fluids at shallow depths, and where down-hole temperatures are less than 100 degrees C (212 degrees F).
(b) Areas where geothermal fluids have been produced from shallow wells, less than 150 meters (500 feet) true vertical depth, over a number of years with no known history of a blowout or geyser.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712 and 3715, Public Resources Code.
s 1942.3. Stable Areas Using Air As the Drilling Fluid.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712, 3715, 3724, 3739 and 3740, Public Resources Code.
s 1942.4. Cable Tool Drilling.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712, 3715, 3724, 3737, and 3740, Public Resources Code.
s 1950. Official Completion.
A well is considered to be completed 30 days after drilling operations have ceased and the well is capable of producing a geothermal resource, or 30 days after the well has commenced to produce a geothermal resource, unless drilling operations are resumed before the end of the 30-day period.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3737, Public Resources Code.
s 1950.1. Time Limits.
For the purpose of filing drilling records pursuant to Section 3735, Public Resources Code, the 60 day time limit for filing such records shall begin when the division determines that a well is completed, idle, or plugged and abandoned.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3735, Public Resources Code.
s 1951. Production Reports.
s 1952. Maintenance.
All wellheads, separators, pumps, mufflers, manifolds, valves, pipelines and other equipment used for the production of geothermal resources, shall be maintained in good condition in order to prevent loss of or damage to life, health, property and natural resources.
s 1953. Corrosion.
All surface wellhead equipment and pipelines and subsurface casing and tubing will be subject to periodic corrosion surveillance in order to safeguard life, health, property and natural resources.
s 1954. Tests.
(a) Requirements. The supervisor shall require such tests or remedial work as in his or her judgment are necessary to prevent damage to life, health, property, and natural resources, to protect geothermal reservoirs from damage or to prevent the infiltration of detrimental substances into underground or surface water suitable for agricultural, industrial, municipal, or domestic purposes, to the best interest of the neighboring property owners and the public.
(b) Types of Tests.
(1) Casing Tests
(A) Spinner surveys
(B) Wall thickness
(C) Lap
(D) Pressure
(E) Radioactive tracer surveys
(2) Cementing Tests
(A) Cementing of casing
(B) Pumping of plugs
(C) Hardness of plugs
(D) Depths of plugs
(3) Equipment Tests
(A) Gauges
(B) Thermometers
(C) Surface facilities, lines, vessels, etc.
(D) Blowout-prevention equipment. BOPE inspections and/or tests are normally performed on all drilling wells. The supervisor requires that the blowout-prevention equipment be tested prior to drilling out the shoe of the surface casing. A division engineer must be contacted to witness a pressure test of each preventer of the well prior to drilling out the shoe of the surface casing.
s 1954.1. Right of Entry.
s 1960. Definition.
Injection wells are those used for the disposal of waste fluids, the augmentation of reservoir fluids, pressure maintenance of reservoirs or for any other purpose authorized by the supervisor. New wells may be drilled and/or old wells may be converted for water injection or disposal service. Notices, bonds and fees are required for drilling or conversion as stated in Article 3.
s 1961. Projects.
Following is an outline which sets forth the requirements for initiating an injection project. Data and exhibits need only extend or cover the injection zone and zones which will possibly be affected by an injection project:
(a) Letter setting forth the entire plan of operations, which should include:
(1) Reservoir conditions.
(2) Method of injection: through casing, tubing, or tubing with a packer.
(3) Source of injection fluid.
(4) Estimates of daily amount of water to be injected.
(b) Map showing contours on a geologic marker at or near the intended zone of injection.
(c) One or more cross sections showing the wells involved.
(d) Analyses of fluid to be injected and of fluid from intended zone of injection.
(e) Copies of letter or notification sent to neighboring operators if deemed advisable by the supervisor.
s 1962. Project Approval.
A written approval of a project will be sent to the operator and such approval will contain those provisions specified by the division as necessary for safe operations. Injection shall not commence until approval has been obtained from the division.
s 1963. Notice to Drill New Well or Convert Existing Well.
Prior to the operator doing work on a well, the appropriate notices must be approved by the division. Proposals to drill new wells for injection purposes shall be filed on the division form entitled Notice of Intention to Drill New Well (OGG 105). Proposals to convert existing wells shall be filed on the division form entitled Rework/Supplementary Notice.
Bonds and fees are required for all proposed wells. The bonds and fees for an injection well are the same as those required for a development well.
Injection wells shall conform to the division's spacing regulations.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712, 3723, 3724, and 3725, Public Resources Code.
s 1964. Subsequent Work.
A Rework/Supplementary Notice is required for any subsequent work that alters the well casing(s) or changes the use of the well as provided in Section 1966(f).
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3724, 3724.2, 3724.3, Public Resources Code.
s 1965. Injection Reports.
s 1966. Surveillance.
(a) Surveillance of waste water disposal or injection projects is necessary on a continuing basis to establish to the satisfaction of the supervisor that all water is confined to the intended zone of injection.
(b) When an operator proposes to drill an injection well, convert a producing or idle well to an injection well, or rework an injection well and return it to injection service, the operator shall be required to demonstrate complete casing integrity to the division by means of a specific test.
(c) To establish the integrity of the casing and the annular cement above the shoe of the casing, within 30 days after injection is started into a well, the operator shall make sufficient surveys to demonstrate that all the injected fluid is confined to the intended zone of injection. Thereafter, such surveys shall be made at least every two years, or more often if ordered by the supervisor or his or her representative. All such surveys shall be witnessed by a division engineer.
(d) After the well has been placed on injection, a division inspector shall visit the well site periodically. At these times, surface conditions shall be noted and, if any unsatisfactory conditions exist, the operator shall be notified of required remedial work. If this required work is not performed within 90 days, the approval issued by the division shall be rescinded. The supervisor may order that the repair work be done immediately if it is determined that damage is occurring at a rapid rate.
(e) Injection pressures shall be recorded and compared with the pressures reported on the monthly injection reports. Any discrepancies shall be rectified immediately by the operator. A graph of pressures and rates versus time shall be maintained by the operator. Reasons for anomalies shall be promptly ascertained. If these reasons are such that it appears damage is being done, approval by the division may be rescinded, and injection shall cease .
(f) When an injection well has been idle for two years, the division may inform the operator, by letter, that approval for use of the well for injection purposes is rescinded. If the operator intends to reclaim the well for injection purposes, a Rework/Supplementary Notice shall be filed proposing to demonstrate by specified tests that the injected fluid will be confined to the intended zone of injection.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3712, Public Resources Code.
s 1967. Abandonment.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3714, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3712, 3729, and 3740, Public Resources Code.
s 1970. Responsibility.
The prime responsibility for subsidence detection and abatement in geothermal areas in the State of California lies with the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources.
s 1971. Imperial Valley Subsidence Regulations.
(a) Surveys and Bench Marks.
(1) Subsidence bench marks, at wellsites, tied to existing first- and/or second-order networks, are required for all wells that will be tested or produced. These bench marks shall be the responsibility of and at the expense of the operator. Surveys shall precede extensive production testing of the well.
(2) All survey work shall be coordinated with the County Surveyor.
(3) All work shall be done under the direct supervision of a Registered Civil Engineer or Licensed Land Surveyor.
(4) An adequate series of bench marks shall be set as required by the division and shall be tied to existing survey nets.
(5) All field work, computations, etc., shall conform to National Geodetic Survey (N.G.S.) standards. Refer to "Manual of Geodetic Leveling" (1948).
(6) All surveys shall be second-order or better.
(7) All single-point tie-ins shall be double-run. Survey loops between two points on existing surveys may be single-run.
(8) Equipment shall be equal to or better than that accepted by the N.G.S. for second-order surveys. The N.G.S. procedures shall be followed.
(9) Types of acceptable bench marks are:
(A) Brass rod driven to refusal or 9 meters (about 30 feet) and fitted with an acceptable brass plate.
(B) Permanent structure (head walls, bridges, etc.) with installed plate.
(10) Bench marks at wellsites shall be situated so as to minimize the possibility of being destroyed during any subsequent work-over activity at the wells. Each bench mark shall be well marked so as to be plainly visible to work-over crews.
(11) Between the wellsite and the network, bench marks shall be set at one-half mile intervals or as specified by the division.
(12) Surveys shall be run annually by and at the expense of the operator while well(s) are being produced unless otherwise specified by the division.
(13) The adjusted data from all surveys shall be submitted to the division within 60 days after leveling is completed.
(14) Resurveys of the first- and second-order networks shall be coordinated by the division.
(b) Reservoir Engineering.
(1) Initial bottom-hole pressures and temperatures (allowing a minimum of one month static time) shall be submitted to the division within thirty (30) days of completion of work.
(2) All preliminary test data shall be submitted to the division within 30 days of completion of the tests.
(3) Monthly surface recordings of production, injection, temperature, and pressure shall be reported to the division on the appropriate forms (Sections 1951 and 1965).
(4) Periodic development and review meetings between operators and the division shall be required (at least one per year).
s 1980. Objectives.
The objectives of abandonment plugging are to block interzonal migration of fluids so as to:
(a) Prevent contamination of the fresh waters or other natural resources.
(b) Prevent damage to geothermal reservoirs.
(c) Prevent loss of reservoir energy.
(d) Protect integrity of reservoirs.
(e) Protect life, health, environment and property.
s 1981. General Requirements.
The following are general requirements which are subject to review and modification for individual wells or field conditions. The division may require the witnessing of any or all of the field operations listed below.
(a) Notice of Intention to plug and abandon Geothermal Resources Well, is required for all wells.
(b) History of Geothermal Resources Well shall be filed within 60 days after completion of the plugging and abandonment.
(c) The division's Report of Well plugging and abandonment, will not be issued until all records have been filed and the site inspected for final cleanup by a division engineer.
(d) Subsequent to the plugging and abandonment of the hole, all casings shall be cut off at least 2 meters (6 feet) below the surface of the ground, all concrete cellars and other structures shall be removed, and the surface location restored, as near as practicable, to original conditions. The landowner has the option to assume legal responsibility for a well; however, to do so he or she must have legal clearance from the division.
(e) Good quality, heavy drilling fluid approved by the supervisor shall be used to replace any water in the hole and to fill all portions of the hole not plugged with cement.
(f) All cement plugs, with the possible exception of the surface plug, shall be pumped into the hole through drill pipe or tubing.
(g) All open annuli shall be filled solid with cement to the surface.
s 1981.1. Exploratory Well Requirements (No Production Casing).
(a) Base of fresh waters -a minimum of 30 meters (about 100 feet) of cement straddling the interface or transition zone whether behind casing or uncased.
(b) Shoe plug (all casing, including conductor pipe) -straddle with 30 meters (about 100 feet) of cement.
(c) Where the well has been drilled with air, a bridge plug shall be placed at the shoe of the surface casing and the bridge plug shall be capped with at least 60 meters (about 200 feet) of cement.
(d) Surface plug -15 meters (about 50 feet) minimum. May be either neat cement or concrete mix.
s 1981.2. Cased Wells.
Cased exploratory, uncompleted development, former producing and injection wells.
(a) Geothermal zones -uncased or perforated. Cement plugs shall extend from the bottom of the zone or perforations to 30 meters (about 100 feet) over the top of the zone or perforations.
(b) Liners. Cement plugs shall be placed from 15 meters (about 50 feet) below to 15 meters (about 50 feet) above liner tops.
(c) Casing may be salvaged within protection, if first approved by the division. A minimum overlap of 15 meters (about 50 feet) is required.
(d) Casing stubs and laps. Cement plugs shall be placed, if possible, from 15 meters (about 50 feet) below to 15 meters (about 50 feet) above top of casing. If unable to enter stub or lap, 30 meters (about 100 feet) of cement shall be placed on the top of the stub or lap.
(e) Fish, collapsed pipe, etc. Cement plugs shall be squeezed, with the use of a retainer or bradenhead, with sufficient cement to fill across the production zone or perforations and to 30 meters (about 100 feet) above the zone or perforations.
(f) Base of fresh waters -a minimum of 30 meters (about 100 feet) of cement straddling the interface or transition zone, whether behind casing or uncased.
(g) Shoe plug (all casing, including conductor pipe) -straddle with 30 meters (about 100 feet) of cement.
(h) Where the well has been drilled with air, a bridge plug shall be placed at the shoe of the surface casing and the bridge plug shall be capped with at least 60 meters (about 200 feet) of cement.
(i) Surface plug -15 meters (about 50 feet) minimum. May be either neat cement or concrete mix.
s 1982. Abandonment of Deserted Well.
s 1990. Complaints.
s 1991. Filing Appeals.
s 1992. Appeal Hearing.
s 1993. Review of Hearing Decision.
s 1995. Purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to set forth the rules and regulations governing the disclosure and inspection of well records on file with the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources as provided for in Sections 3234 and 3752, Division 3 of the Public Resources Code.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code; and Section 6253(a), Government Code. Reference: Sections 3234(a) and 3752, Public Resources Code.
s 1995.1. Policy.
The policy of the division is to make all well records that are open to public inspection readily available to the public. Upon request by any person, identifiable public records shall be made available for inspection and copying as provided for in this subchapter.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(a) and 3752(a), Public Resources Code; and Sections 6256 and 6257, Government Code.
s 1995.2. Scope of Regulations.
These regulations shall apply to all records on file at every office of the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources as defined in Section 1996.1 of this subchapter.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234 and 3752, Public Resources Code.
s 1995.3. Effective Date.
s 1996. General.
The following words or terms used in this subchapter, unless otherwise defined, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this article.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(a) and 3752(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.1. Records.
"Records" mean all of the well records filed pursuant to Division 3, Chapters 3 or 4 of the Public Resources Code, including production and injection reports of the wells of any owner or operator, except experimental logs, experimental tests, or interpretive data as defined in this article.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(a) and 3752(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.2. Confidential Status.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code.
s 1996.3. Experimental Log and Experimental Test.
"Experimental log" or "experimental test" means a log or test that is not generally available to all operators, or that is run to evaluate whether such log or test is an effective, workable, and valid engineering or geologic tool. A log or test that is not generally available to all operators is one that is not listed in the pricing schedules, nor offered as a routine service, by established logging companies.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(d) and 3752(c), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.4. Interpretive Data.
"Interpretive data" mean geologic and engineering data, from an owner or operator, that are derived from raw data by means of professional study and interpretation.
"Interpretive data" include, but are not limited to: geologic cross sections, subsurface contour maps, surface geologic maps, oil and gas reserve calculations, and paleontologic reports.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(d) and 3752(c), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.5. Offshore Well.
"Offshore well" as related to well records means a well that is identified by a specific API numbering system used to classify offshore wells.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3013, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3234(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.6. Well.
"Well" means an original hole, or a subsequent deepening or redrilling thereof, carried out after completion of the original drilling operation. The records of all holes drilled during the course of a single drilling operation or shallow geothermal observation well program shall be considered as records of a single well for purposes of this subchapter.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(a) and 3752(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.7. Date of Cessation of Drilling Operations.
"Date of cessation of drilling operations" means the date on which any or all equipment or machinery necessary for carrying out a drilling operation is removed from the well site.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3013, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3234(e), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.8. Date of Abandonment.
"Date of abandonment" means the date on which, in the judgment of the supervisor, the plugging for the purpose of abandonment is completed or virtually completed.
Note: Authority cited: Section 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3752(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.9. Extenuating Circumstances.
"Extenuating circumstances" mean conditions, beyond the control of the owner or operator, which have prevented the owner or operator from utilizing the competitive advantage from the information obtained from a well. "Extenuating circumstances" include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Active competitive leasing or mineral rights sales in the immediate vicinity of the well;
(b) Governmental or judicial action delaying oil, gas, or geothermal development;
(c) Natural disasters; or
(d) Scarcity of materials and equipment.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 3234(a) and 3752(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1996.10. Applicant.
"Applicant" means any person requesting permission to inspect and/or copy records on file with the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources.
Note: Authority cite: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 6250, Government Code.
s 1997. General.
All records filed with the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, including records filed before July 1, 1976, are public records and are open for inspection and copying, except those records maintained in confidential status pursuant to Sections 3234 or 3752, Division 3 of the Public Resources Code.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3712, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections3234(a) and 3752(a), Public Resources Code.
s 1997.1. Request for Confidential Status.
(a) A request for confidential status pursuant to Sections 3234 or 3752, Division 3, Public Resources Code, must be filed prior to or at the time the records subject to said request are filed, and shall not apply retrospectively to portions of a well record already on file with the division for which confidential status had not been requested. Said request shall be made in writing to:
(1) The district deputy of the district in which the well is located, for an onshore oil or gas well (see Map No. 1 titled "Oil and Gas District Boundaries of the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources");
(2) The district geothermal office for a geothermal well (see Map No. 2 titled "Geothermal District Boundaries of the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources");
Such request shall be signed by a representative of the company.
(b) If the supervisor fails to reply to a request for confidential status within twenty (20) working days from the date of receipt of such request, the request shall be deemed approved. (continued)