(a) The permittee shall seal gas and oil wells to protect the fresh water from salt water pollution. Such permittee shall notify the State Division of Mines of his or her intention to plug or abandon a well, and such mudding and plugging shall be done under the supervision of a representative of the Division, in one of the following methods:
(1) The casing method. The casing method consists of setting a string of casing between the potable water and the salt water, which string of casing shall remain in place during the life of the well, unless another approved method of separation is used.
(2) The casing packer method. The casing packer method consists of setting a string of casing through the salt water, with a packer between the potable water and the salt water. Prepared mud shall be added on top of the packer after completion. Such string of casing shall remain in place during the life of the well, unless another approved method of separation is used.
(3) The casing aquagel method. The casing aquagel method consists of setting a string of casing through the salt water and filling outside casing with aquagel by circulating under pressure before further drilling is done. Such string of casing shall remain in place during the life of the well, unless another approved method of separation is used.
(b) If a well is found to be productive, the ten-inch casing set through the potable water sand shall be withdrawn and replaced by an eight-inch string of casing with a ten-inch swage attached to the bottom. The annular space between the eight-inch casing and the wall of the hole on top of the ten-inch swage shall then be filled with ground prepared fireclay to the surface.
(c) A bridge shall be set above the top water in the big lime and sufficient fill made to support the setting of a lead plug between the top water in the big lime and the top of the big lime. The hole immediately above such lead plug shall be filled for 200 feet with prepared clay, rock sediment or cement.
(d) The hole shall be filled from the top of the plug immediately above the potable water sand to the surface with prepared clay, rock sediment or cement.
(Ord. 2007-69. Passed 11-19-2007.)