62C-29.002. Injection Wells

(1) Permits, as specified in Rules 62C-25.006, 62C-26.003, F.A.C., and subsection (3) below are required prior to both spudding and operating a Class II well. Wells initially constructed for the production of oil or gas may be converted to injection wells but shall not be operated without an Operating Permit (Oil & Gas Form 14) issued by the Department. Wells drilled or converted for injection purposes are subject to the same requirements of plugging and site restoration as oil or gas wells. For information regarding an Application for Permit to Operate Well (Form 14) see Rules 62C-25.006, 62C-26.008, 62C-28.016, F.A.C., and this section.

(2) No subsurface formation or zone will be approved for fluid disposal if total dissolved solids of the formation fluid do not equal or exceed 10,000 ppm and chloride content does not equal or exceed 5,000 ppm.

(3) As part of the application for a permit required by subsection (1) above the operator shall submit to the Department a written application containing at least the following information:

(a) In the case of a well already drilled, a detailed plan for workover together with an appropriate well log of the well with the proposed zone marked and a statement giving the name of the disposal formation. In the case of undrilled wells, the name of the formation or zone to be used for injection and its approximate depth. In addition, any of the information required in paragraphs (b) through (h) below may also apply, depending on well history and data available in the file.

(b) A plat showing the location of the proposed injection well and all wells within a one-half mile radius thereof which penetrated the formation proposed for injection if the formation is non-productive and all wells within a two-mile radius thereof if the proposed injection zone is productive of oil or gas within two miles.

(c) The following data are required for each well identified on the plat required in paragraph (b) above:

1. A description of well type, character and amount of material being injected.

2. A description of well construction.

3. Depth of the injection zone.

4. Record of completion and plugging activities.

5. Additional information may be required by the Department to properly evaluate environmental impacts on a site specific basis.

(d) A statement of estimated daily volume of saltwater to be injected, and of the injection pressure anticipated.

(e) A statement of other known instances in which the proposed disposal zone has been used for saltwater disposal.

(f) A chemical analysis of a sample of the formation waters of the zone proposed for brine injection. This sample may be taken from the proposed injection well or from any suitable well within two miles of the proposed injection well. When the well is drilled, well logs must be run over the proposed injection zone. These logs must indicate that contained chlorides are no less than 5,000 parts per million (ppm).

(g) A statement that the proposed disposal well will be completed in a manner to insure that the disposal products are injected into the proposed injection zone and that provision has been made for adequate protection of freshwater aquifers and other zones of commercial value. A schematic diagram of the disposal well showing the casing and cementing program shall be attached together with an explanation thereof. Adequate provision must be made to insure that surface casing is set below the base of all underground sources of drinking water.

(h) All supporting interpretative geologic data shall be signed by a geologist licensed in Florida as required by Sections 492.111 and 492.116, F.S.

(4) Prior to the injection of saltwater, the operator shall obtain from the Department a permit to operate well (Oil & Gas Form 14), and an agent of the Department shall inspect each completed disposal facility to insure compliance.

(5) The operator shall measure the amount of saltwater injected into each disposal well and shall submit Oil & Gas Form 10A, Monthly Well Injection Report, to the Department within 25 days subsequent to the reported period.

(6) All injection wells shall be equipped with tubing and packer set no more than 100 feet above the injection zone unless otherwise specified by the Department.

(7) No injections shall be permitted using casing as the injection string, in the annulus between casing strings, or between casing and the well bore.

(8) The integrity of the casing and tubing strings for injection wells shall be pressure tested in the presence of an agent of the Department upon initial construction or conversion and within two year intervals thereafter. Wells drilled for the purpose of injection shall be initially tested in accordance with Chapter 62C-27, F.A.C. Initial testing for wells converted for injection purposes and all subsequent testing shall be in accordance with Rule 62C-29.007, F.A.C. Exceptions to this testing schedule may be granted by the Department provided the operator proposes and agrees to follow equivalent means of monitoring casing and tubing integrity. If the casing or tubing fails to hold the scheduled pressure during the test time specified, the well shall be shut in until successful remedial action and retests have been completed.

(9) Each permit for an injection well shall include a condition specifying the upper limit of allowable pressure.

Rulemaking Authority 377.22 FS. Law Implemented 377.22 FS. History–New 11-26-81, Amended 4-12-83, 8-1-83, Formerly 16C-29.02, Amended 6-4-89, 5-12-93, Formerly 16C-29.002, Amended 3-24-96.