A well shall be considered properly abandoned for the purpose of this section when all of the following events have occurred:
(a) A copy of the notice of intention to abandon a well furnished by the owner or operator to the Office of Oil and Gas has been received by the City Manager.
(b) A copy of the Office of Oil and Gas report of approval to abandon the well has been received by the City Manager.
(c) The well has been abandoned in accordance with the requirements of the Office of Oil and Gas and this article.
(d) The pouring of a top cement plug, minimum length of fifty feet, has been witnessed by the City Manager. A steel cap of not less than the same thickness as the well casing has been welded to the casing around the entire circumference of the casing. Such welded cap shall be a minimum of six feet below the surface of the ground adjacent to the well and the welding operation shall have been witnessed by the City Manager.
(e) The rathole and all holes, sumps and depressions have been filled with native earth and compacted to ninety percent (90%) compaction factor (ATES).
(f) The derrick and all appurtenant equipment thereto have been removed from the drill site. All drilling and production equipment, tanks, towers and other surface installations shall have been removed from the drill site or tank farm site. The cleaning of the site shall include draining and backfilling of any sump used in connection with the well. All concrete, wood and other foreign materials shall have been removed from the drill site or tank farm site. The surface of the land, insofar as practicable, has been left in a neat and orderly condition.
(g) A copy of the Office of Oil and Gas final approval of abandonment has been received by the City Manager.
(h) The City Manager has inspected and certified in writing that such well has been properly abandoned in accordance with the provisions of this article; provided, however, that such certification shall not entitle the owner or operator to immediate cancellation of the bond furnished under Section 725.04.
(i) Upon receipt of a report and recommendation from the City Manager, and following a hearing held in accordance with the provisions of Section 725.16, Council may make a determination that an idle well has been deserted by an owner or operator. The City may, in addition to any other proceeding provided for by law, proceed against and collect from the bond filed by the owner or operator, and with the proceeds thereof the City may perform whatever work or services as are necessary to abandon properly any such well and restore the premises in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(Passed 11-20-81)