62C-29.009. Plugging and Abandonment of Wells

Operators must obtain Department approval prior to commencing plugging operations. To apply, operators may contact either the Chief or his agent and request authorization to plug and abandon the well and restore the site. Operators must specify exactly how the well will be plugged and the site restored. Oral approval to plug and abandon shall be granted when the operator meets the criteria defined in this section.

(1) Pulling of Casing from an Abandoned Hole. Before pulling casing from an abandoned hole the operator shall obtain approval from the Department for reentry into the well. To apply, the operator must submit a written request to the Department, Oil and Gas Program, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3588, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400. The Department shall approve the request when the operator meets the criteria specified in this section. All requests shall contain an Organization Report (Rule 62C-25.008, F.A.C.), Performance Surety (Rule 62C-26.002, F.A.C.), well diagram, proposed procedure, and replugging schedule.

(2) Permanent Abandonment. The Department recognizes that no single plugging and restoration schedule can suffice for all wells. However, the following criteria will apply to most wells; others shall be handled in accordance with subseciton 62C-25.001(5), F.A.C.

(a) Uncased-hold plugs: Cement plugs shall be placed in uncased portions of wells as necessary to prevent the migration of formation fluids from one zone to another. These plugs shall be placed in accordance with the following criteria.

1. All nonproductive intervals containing shows of hydrocarbons shall be isolated from the wellbore by placing a minimum cement plug of 200 feet in length across the showing interval. Such plugs shall extend from 100 feet below to 100 feet above the show and shall be verified by either tagging with 15,000 pounds of drill stem weight or pumping sufficient excess cement to guarantee proper placement.

2. All nonproductive intervals which are or have been productive within 5 miles of the well being plugged shall be isolated and verified in accordance with subparagraph (a)1. above.

3. All flows of saltwater requiring 12 or more pounds per gallon to control shall be isolated as in subparagraph (a)1. above and the plugs verified by tagging with 15,000 pounds of drill stem weight.

4. Underground Sources of Drinking Water shall be isolated from adjoining saline zones by a minimum cement plug of 400 feet extending from 200 feet below to 200 feet above the base of the USDW. Such plugs shall be verified by tagging with sufficient drill stem weight to guarantee proper placement of the plug.

5. Freshwater zones shall be isolated from nonfreshwater zones as in subparagraph (a)4. above and the plugs verified in a like manner.

6. All intervals between any of the above plugs may be filled with drilling fluid.

(b) Cased Hole Plugs:

1. Perforated Interval Plugs: No perforation shall be permitted to remain open upon abandonment. Either a cement retainer shall be set a minimum of 100 feet above the open perforation interval with cement squeezed into the perforation interval and 50 feet of cement placed on top of the retainer, or a 200 foot cement plug placed to extend from 100 feet below to 100 feet above the perforations. If a cement retainer is not used or does not hold pressure, this plug shall be verified by either tagging with 15,000 pounds of drill stem weight or by utilizing an amount of cement 100% in excess of that needed for the 200 foot plug. If cement can not be squeezed below a properly operating cement retainer, then a 200 foot cement plug shall be set on top of the retainer.

2. Casing Seat Plugs: Where there is open hole below any casing seat, a cement plug shall be placed at the base of the string, extending at a minimum from 150 feet below to 150 feet above the casing shoe. If a cement retainer is used, it should be set not less than 50 feet nor more than 100 feet above the casing shoe and the cement plug placed so that it will extend at least 100 feet below the casing shoe and 100 feet above the retainer. If a retainer is not used or fails to hold pressure, the plug shall be verified by tagging with 15,000 pounds of drill stem weight. In the event lost circulation conditions were encountered immediately below the casing shoe so that any attempted casing seat plug would be lost to the formations below, a permanent type bridge plug shall be set within 100 feet of the casing shoe and 200 feet of cement placed on top of the bridge plug. Regardless of the method used to set this plug, the pipe, unless it is to be cut and recovered, shall be tested by placing on it a minimum pump pressure of 1000 psig. No more than a 10% pressure drop during a 30 minute test period shall be allowed. If this test fails, necessary remedial measures shall be taken and the pipe retested and plugged in accordance with subparagraph (a)4. above.

3. Casing-Stub Plugs. When casing is cut and recovered, a cement plug 200 feet in length shall be placed at the base of the cut so that the plug extends from 100 feet below to 100 feet above the stub. This plug shall be verified as directed by the Department’s agent.

(c) Up Hole Plugs:

1. USDW Plugs. All casing strings not cemented to the surface shall be cut not less than 200 feet below the base of the deepest USDW and pulled out of the hole. A cement plug shall then be set across the USDW as described in subparagraph (a)4. above. If the casing seat depth exceeds the required plug depth and can not be cut and pulled out of the hole, then the plug shall be set inside the casing.

2. Freshwater Plug. A cement plug shall be set across the freshwater interval as described in subparagraph (a)5. above. If the surface casing seat depth exceeds the required plug depth, then the plug shall be set inside the surface casing.

3. Annular Space Plugs. No annular space connecting saline water intervals with freshwater intervals or the surface with the drilled hole below shall be allowed to exist. If such space exists it shall be destroyed by cutting and recovering the necessary casing strings as described in subparagraph (c)1. above. In the event that it is physically impossible to recover such casing, the operator shall devise an alternate method to accomplish the same result. Such alternate method must have prior approval of the Department’s agent.

4. Surface Plug. A 100 foot cement plug shall be placed in the top of the largest string of pipe cemented to the surface. This plug shall extend from the top of the casing downward the required distance. A 1/2 inch thick steel plate shall be welded across the top of the casing.

(d) Restoration of location.

1. Mud pits. All fluids and recoverable slurry that remain in the pits shall be either returned to the wellbore below all USDW during the process of plugging, placed between plugs in the casings, or removed to an approved land fill.

2. Drilling sites. The operator shall remove all waste, debris, and equipment and shall restore the site as necessary to prevent erosion, invasion of exotic species, interruption of sheetwater flow or other similar impacts. Land drilling sites and access roads shall be restored to the approximate original contour of the surface and revegetated with native vegetation. However, upon written request of the landowner, or the operator with the landowner’s consent, and where other natural resources are not endangered, the Department shall permit alternate restoration standards, including landowner retention of the access road, pad, or other improvements.

3. All casing shall be cut off at least four feet below ground surface.

4. The operator shall file Oil & Gas Form 16 immediately upon plugging any well. The comments section shall include a detailed plugging schedule plus a clearly differentiated description of all completed restoration work and work yet to be completed with time frame.

5. The Department shall perform a final inspection on each restored site before relieving the operator of liability under these rules.

(3) Temporary Abandonments. Any well which is to be temporarily abandoned shall be plugged in accordance with Rule 62C-25.001, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 377.22 FS. Law Implemented 377.22, 377.24 FS. History–New 11-26-81, Amended 4-12-83, Formerly 16C-29.09, Amended 6-4-89, 5-12-93, Formerly 16C-29.009, Amended 3-24-96.