Section 20.25.110. Suspended wells.

	(a)  If allowed under 20 AAC 25.105, an operator may apply to the commission under this section to approve the suspension of a well or to renew the approval of the suspension of a well. The operator must state the reasons the well should be suspended, and not completed or abandoned, and must demonstrate to the commission's satisfaction that   
		(1) the well  
			(A) is mechanically sound;  
			(B) will not allow the migration of fluids;  
			(C) will not damage freshwater or producing or potentially producing formations;   
			(D) will not impair the recovery of oil or gas;  
			(E) is secure, safe, and not a threat to public health; and  
			(F) is in compliance with all provisions of AS 31.05,  this chapter, and any order, stipulation, or permit issued by the commission;  
		(2) the well  
			(A) has future utility as an exploratory, development, or service well;  
			(B) is a viable candidate for redrilling; or  
			(C) is  located on a pad or platform with active producing or service wells.  
	(b)  An Application for Sundry Approvals (Form 10-403) must be approved by the commission before operations to suspend a well commence, except that oral approval may be requested under 20 AAC 25.507(b). In addition to meeting the requirements of (a) of this section, the application must include the following:  
		(1) wellbore diagrams illustrating the current and proposed mechanical configurations of the well;  
		(2) information on abnormally geo-pressured or depleted strata;  
		(3) a description of the proposed work plan, including how the integrity of existing and proposed plugs will be demonstrated.   
	(c)  Unless the commission otherwise requires or approves a variance under 20 AAC 25.112(i), any well suspended under this section must be plugged in accordance with 20 AAC 25.112, except that the requirements of 20 AAC 25.112(d) do not apply if   
		(1) a wellhead is installed or the well is capped with a mechanical device to seal the opening; and   
		(2) a bridge plug capped with 50 feet of cement or a continuous cement plug extending 200 feet within the interior casing string is placed at or above 300 feet below the surface.  
	(d)  The operator of a suspended well shall maintain the integrity and safety of the well and surrounding location and clear the location in accordance with 20 AAC 25.170(a)(2) or (b) or with 20 AAC 25.172(c)(2) or (d), as applicable.  
	(e)  For a well suspended before January 1, 2009, the operator shall inspect the well site before September 30, 2010. For a well initially suspended on or after January 1, 2009, the operator shall inspect the well site within 12 months after the date of suspension. For a well suspended under this section, subsequent inspections shall be conducted within 24 months before September 30 of every calendar year ending in 0 or 5, except that a suspended well is not required to undergo a subsequent inspection under this subsection if the initial inspection under this subsection occurred within the prior 24-month period. For all inspections under this section, the operator shall provide the commission notice at least 10 days before the inspection and the opportunity for commission inspectors to accompany the operator on the inspection tour. If convenient for the commission, shorter notice periods may be accepted.  
	(f)  Within 30 days after any well-site inspection required under this section, including (e), (h), and (i) of this section, the operator shall file a Report of Sundry Well Operations (Form 10-404). The report must include   
		(1) a description of the condition of the wellhead and surface location, including any discoloration, fluid or sheen visible on the ground or in any nearby water;  
		(2) a plat showing the location of the suspended well and any wells within a one-quarter-mile radius of the wellbore;  
		(3) well pressure readings, if practicable;  
		(4) photographs clearly showing the condition of the wellhead and surrounding location; and  
		(5) an update of all information and documentation required in (b) of this section.  
	(g)  A suspension or renewal of a suspension approved on or after January 1, 2009 is valid for 10 years from the date of approval.  
	(h)  Renewal of an existing suspension may be requested by the submission of an Application for Sundry Approvals (Form 10-403) meeting all requirements of (b) of this section. A renewal is not effective until approved by the commission. If a complete renewal application is submitted at least 60 days before the expiration of an existing suspension, the existing suspension will continue until the commission acts on the application. Within 24 months before the submission of a request for suspension renewal, a well-site inspection must be completed.  
	(i)  For wells suspended before January 1, 2009, an Application for Sundry Approvals (Form 10-403) requesting a suspension renewal under (h) of this section must be submitted  
		(1) no later than December 31, 2010 for all wells suspended before January 1, 2006; and  
		(2) no later than December 31, 2015 for all wells suspended on or after January 1, 2006.  
	(j)  The operator shall immediately notify the commission and propose appropriate action if the operator learns that there is a reasonable risk that a suspended well is  
		(1) mechanically unsound;  
		(2) allowing the migration of fluids;  
		(3) causing damage to freshwater or producing or potentially producing formations;  
		(4) impairing the recovery of oil or gas;  
		(5) a threat to public health or not secure or safe; or  
		(6) not in compliance with all provisions of AS 31.05,  this chapter, and any order, stipulation, or permit issued by the commission.  
	(k)  within five working days after notifying the commission under (j) of this section, the operator shall file a report and all relevant information and documentation regarding the well, including all information and documentation that may be required by the commission.  
	(l)  If the operator learns that any information required under this section is no longer complete or accurate, the operator shall, within 30 days, notify the commission in writing, provide updated information, and propose appropriate action.  
	(m)  At any time, the commission may request that an operator provide, within 10 days after the date of request, any information concerning whether suspension remains appropriate for a well. If the operator does not comply with the information request or if the commission determines that information is insufficient to support allowing the well to remain suspended, the commission may take action under 20 AAC 25.540, including  
		(1) revoking the well's suspended status, effective as of the date determined by the commission; and  
		(2) prescribing actions the operator must take, which may include plugging and abandonment of the well; if action is ordered, including plugging and abandonment under this chapter, a separate notice and hearing is not required notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, including 20 AAC 25.105.  
	(n)  Upon written request of the operator, the commission may modify a deadline in this section upon a showing of good cause, approve a variance from any other requirement of this section if the variance provides at least an equally effective means of complying with the requirement, or approve a waiver of a requirement of this section if the waiver will not promote waste, is based on sound engineering and geoscience principles, will not jeopardize the ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons, will not jeopardize correlative rights, and will not result in an increased risk to health, safety, or the environment, including freshwater.  

Authorities

31.05.030;31.05.040;31.05.095

Notes

Reference

20 AAC 25.990

Authority

AS 31.05.030 AS 31.05.040 AS 31.05.095

History

Eff. 4/2/86, Register 97; am 11/7/99, Register 152; am 11/19/2008, Register 188; am 4/15/2010, Register 194