62C-27.005. Casing

The operator shall case and cement all wells so as to maintain well control and prevent degradation of other natural resources, including water and petroleum. All casing shall be new pipe or reconditioned so as to be equivalent to new pipe. After cementing, drilling shall be discontinued for 12 hours if float valves are used; 24 hours if such valves are not used or do not hold pressure.

(1) Surface casing. Surface casing shall be set below the deepest USDW and cemented to the surface. If circulation is lost, a survey shall be run and if a seal to a point at least 100 feet above the base of the deepest freshwater aquifer has not been achieved, remedial measures will be taken to do so.

(a) Lost Circulation. Surface casing may be set above the deepest USDW if necessitated by lost circulation zones provided the operator implements an alternate and equally effective method of protecting such aquifers.

(b) Minimum Depth. The minimum acceptable surface casing depths are based on the proposed total depth of the well or the first full string of intermediate casing in true vertical feet from the rotary table and are as follows:

Minimum Surface Casing (Feet)
Well Depth	Surface Casing
0 – 7,000	1,500
7,000 – 9,000	1,750
9,000 – 11,000	2,250
11,000 – 13,000	3,000
13,000 – Below	3,500

 

(2) Intermediate Casing. The intermediate casing shall be set and cemented in accordance with generally accepted industry standards and practices. If a liner is used as intermediate casing, the liner seal shall be pressure tested to determine whether a seal between the liner top and next larger string has been achieved. The test shall be recorded on the driller’s log. When such liner is used as production casing, it shall be extended to the surface and cemented as described above to avoid surface casing being used as production casing.

(3) Production/Injection Casing. Production casing shall be set and cemented in accordance with generally accepted industry standards and practices. However, a sufficient quantity of cement to fill the annular space at least 1,500 feet above the uppermost producible hydrocarbon zone must be used. When a liner is used as production casing, the testing of the seal between the liner top and next larger string shall be conducted as in the case of intermediate liners.

(4) Pressure Tests. All casing strings except the conductor shall be pressure tested as specified below prior to well completion or drilling out after cementing. These tests shall not exceed the working pressure of the casing.

	CASING STRING	MINIMUM SURFACE TEST PRESSURE
		(whichever is greater)
	(a) Surface	1000 (psi)
	(b) Intermediate	1500 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
	(c) Liner	1500 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
	(d) Production	1500 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth
	(e) Tubing and Packer	1000 or 0.2 psi/ft. of depth

 

(5) Retests. These pressure tests shall be thirty minutes long and shall have no more than a 10 percent pressure drop. If there is an indication of a leak, necessary remedial measures will be taken and the casing retested. All pressure tests will be recorded in the driller’s log and may be witnessed by an agent of the Department.

(6) Tubing and packer pressure tests are waived for Type II Wells.

Specific Authority 377.22 FS. Law Implemented 377.22 FS. History–New 11-26-81, Formerly 16C-27.05, Amended 6-4-89, 5-12-93, Formerly 16C-27.005, Amended 3-24-96.