64E-5.1119. Notification of Incidents, Abandonment and Lost Sources

(1) Notification shall be made of radiation incidents and radioactive sources lost in other than downhole logging operations in accordance with appropriate provisions of Part III.

(2) Whenever a sealed source or device containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:

(a) Monitor at the surface for the presence of radioactive contamination with a radiation survey instrument or logging tool during logging tool recovery operations; and

(b) Notify the Department immediately by telephone or telegraph if radioactive contamination is detected at the surface or if the source appears to be damaged.

(3) When it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the radioactive source will not be successful, the licensee shall:

(a) Advise the well-operator and the Department of an appropriate method of abandonment, which shall include:

1. The immobilization and sealing in place of the radioactive source with a cement plug,

2. The setting of a whipstock or other deflection device, and

3. The mounting of a permanent identification plaque, at the surface of the well, containing the appropriate information required by this section;

(b) Notify the Department by telephone of the circumstances  that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and obtain the Department’s approval to implement abandonment procedures or notify the Department that the licensee implemented abandonment before receiving Department approval because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety; and

(c) File a written report with the Department within 30 days of the abandonment, setting forth the following information:

1. Date of occurrence and a brief description of attempts to recover the source;

2. A description of the radioactive source involved, including radionuclide, quantity and chemical and physical form;

3. Surface location and identification of well;

4. Results of efforts to immobilize and set the source in place;

5. Depth of the lodged radioactive source;

6. Depth of the top of the cement plug;

7. Depth of the well;

8. Information contained on the permanent identification plaque;

9. The immediate threat to public health and safety that justified abandonment before Department approval as specified in paragraph (3)(b), above; and

(d) Develop and implement a means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source unless the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations.

(4) Whenever a sealed source containing radioactive material is abandoned downhole, the licensee shall provide a permanent plaque, as described below, for posting the well or well-bore at the surface of the well unless the mounting of the plaque is not practical. The size of the plaque shall be at least 7 inches (17 cm) square and 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. This plaque shall:

(a) Be constructed of long-lasting material, such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or monel, and

(b) Contain the following information engraved on its face:

1. The word “CAUTION”;

2. The radiation symbol without the conventional color requirement;

3. The date of abandonment;

4. The name of the well operator or well owner;

5. The well name and well identification numbers or other designation;

6. The sealed sources by radionuclide and quantity of activity;

7. The source depth and the depth to the top of the plug; and

8. An appropriate warning, depending on the specific circumstances of each abandonment which may include:

a. “Do not drill below plug-back depth”;

b. “Do not enlarge casing”; or

c. “Do not reenter the hole”, followed by the words, “before contacting the Department of Health”.

(5) The licensee shall immediately notify the Department by telephone or telegraph, and subsequently by confirming letter, if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that radioactive material has been lost in or to an underground potable water source. Such notice shall designate the well location and shall describe the magnitude and extent of loss of radioactive material, assess the consequences of such loss and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

Rulemaking Authority 404.051, 404.061, 404.081 FS. Law Implemented 404.022, 404.051(1), (4), (6), 404.061(2), 404.081(1) FS. History–New 7-17-85, Formerly 10D-91.1220, Amended 9-28-06.