62-528.415. Operation Requirements for Class I and III Wells

(1) Class I Well Operation Requirements.

Operation requirements for Class I wells shall specify that:

(a) To preserve the integrity of the formations, bottom hole (including hydrostatic) pressure shall not exceed a maximum so as to ensure that the injection pressure does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the injection zone, initiate fractures in the confining zone, significantly alter the fluid containment capabilities of the confining zone, or cause the movement of injection or formation fluids into an underground source of drinking water or into an essential monitoring zone;

(b) To protect the integrity of the well structure, total pressure shall not exceed the maximum allowable stress of the materials used to construct the well;

(c) The maximum sustained injection pressure shall not exceed two-thirds of the most recent mechanical integrity test pressure.

(d) Injection for disposal purposes is prohibited:

1. Between the casings protecting the underground sources of drinking water and the well bore;

2. Through monitor wells or annular monitor tubes; or

3. Through wells designed to monitor the injection zone except when specifically designed as a temporary or standby injection well or approved (in writing) for emergency discharge use.

(e) Unless an alternative to a packer has been approved under subparagraph 62-528.410(1)(e)1., F.A.C., the annulus between the tubing, where required, and the final or innermost string of casing shall be filled with a fluid and a pressure shall be maintained on the annulus. Both the type of fluid and the proposed pressure shall be submitted as part of the construction permit approved by the Department;

(f) Injection Fluid Velocity.

1. The maximum velocity of injected fluid shall not exceed the point where the mechanical limits of the well design or structure of the formation will be adversely affected.

2. Except as provided in 3. below, the maximum injection velocity of a well that begins operation after June 1, 1985, shall not exceed a peak hourly flow of ten feet per second (ft/sec), unless the applicant demonstrates that higher velocities will not compromise the integrity or operation of the well.

3. An injection system may be designed to allow an injection velocity not to exceed a peak hourly flow of 12 ft/sec during planned testing, maintenance, or emergency conditions when one or more wells are taken out of service if the permittee provides the Department with reasonable assurance that the higher velocities will not compromise the integrity or operation of the well(s).

(2) Class III Well Operation Requirements. Operation requirements prescribed for Class III wells shall specify that:

(a) Injection pressure at the wellhead shall not exceed a maximum which shall be calculated so as to assure that the pressure in the injection zone during injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the injection zone, initiate fractures in the confining zone or cause the migration of injection or formation fluids into an underground source of drinking water; and

(b) Injection between the casings protecting underground sources of drinking water and the well bore is prohibited;

(c) Where the proposed mining operation includes mining a portion of the confining zone, a sufficient amount of confining zone must remain to provide an effective confinement that protects aquifers above and below the mining area.

(3) Operation and Maintenance Manual.

(a) An operation and maintenance manual(s) for injection well disposal facilities, or portions thereof, shall be prepared for the use of operators, maintenance personnel, technicians, laboratory personnel, and others as appropriate, and shall consist of:

1. Written instructions provided to the injection system operators which specify:

a. Procedures for the safe reliable operation of the system; and

b. Procedures to be used in the event of an emergency.

2. Records of the basic engineering design and equipment description; and

3. A program to assure proper maintenance of the system.

(b) The operation and maintenance manual(s) is subject to approval by the Department under Rule 62-4.240, F.A.C., prior to issuance of a permit and shall be submitted to the Department.

(c) A copy of the approved manual shall be provided to the operators, maintenance personnel, technicians, laboratory personnel, and others as appropriate, by the permittee of the facility. The manual(s) shall be available for reference at the facility or other site readily available to the operator.

(d) The manual shall be revised to reflect any facility modifications performed in order to comply with the requirements of this chapter or to reflect experience resulting from facility operation.

(4) Abnormal Events.

(a) In the event the permittee is temporarily unable to comply with any of the conditions of a permit due to breakdown of equipment, power outages, destruction by hazard of fire, wind, or by other cause, the permittee of the facility shall notify the Department. Notification shall be made in person, by telephone, or by telegraph within 24 hours of breakdown or malfunction to the office of the Department that issued the permit.

(b) A written report of any noncompliance referenced in paragraph (a) above shall be submitted to the appropriate district office within five days after its occurrence. The report shall describe the nature and cause of the breakdown or malfunction, the steps being taken or planned to be taken to correct the problem and prevent its reoccurrence, emergency procedures in use pending correction of the problem, and the time when the facility will again be operating in accordance with permit conditions.

(c) Emergency Discharge.

1. Under emergency conditions in which the permittee is unable to use the permitted primary disposal method, the permittee shall use an emergency discharge only if a permit for the emergency method has been obtained prior to the emergency discharge. The permittee shall notify the Department office that issued the permit whenever the emergency discharge has been used.

2. The applicant shall address the emergency disposal methods in the construction permit application and the operation manual. The emergency discharge shall be fully operational and the permittee for a Class I well shall obtain all permits required to operate the emergency discharge prior to any emergency discharge.

(d) In the event a well must be redeveloped, the applicant shall address disposal of backwashed fluids in a written submittal to the Department. The redevelopment of the well, including the disposal method, shall be approved by the Department in writing if it meets all applicable Department rules and it will not adversely affect the construction or operation of the well.

Specific Authority 373.309, 403.061, 403.087 FS. Law Implemented 373.308, 403.021, 403.061, 403.062, 403.087, 403.161 FS. History–New 4-1-82, Amended 5-8-85, Formerly 17-28.23, 17-28.230, 62-28.230, Amended 8-10-95, 6-24-97.