(a) Abandonment of a well. The operator shall abandon each well after production has ceased on that well. A well is considered abandoned if the Texas Railroad Commission approves the abandonment, and the operator provides the gas inspector with a copy of the Texas Railroad Commission’s approval.
(b) Abandonment and restoration of the operation site. The operator shall abandon and restore the operation site within 60 days after production has ceased on all wells located on the operation site. An operation site is not considered abandoned until the gas inspector conducts an inspection of the operation site and approves the abandonment and restoration. The gas inspector shall approve the abandonment and restoration of the operation site if:
(1) the operation site is restored to its original condition, as nearly as practicable, in accordance with the surface reclamation plan;
(2) all wells located on the operation site are plugged and all well casings are cut and removed to a depth of at least three feet below surface;
(3) all equipment is removed from the operation site;
(4) the operator provides the gas inspector with a copy of the Texas Railroad Commission’s approval of the abandonment for each well located on the operation site;
(5) the abandonment complies with the Dallas Fire Code; and
(6) soil sampling has been conducted in accordance with this division and all required remediation is completed in accordance with state and federal regulations, this article, and all other city ordinances.
(c) Development after abandonment.
(1) No building permit may be issued for any construction on or redevelopment of the operation site until the gas inspector approves the abandonment and restoration of the operation site.
(2) No structure may be built over a vertical shaft of an abandoned well. (Ord. Nos. 26920; 29228)