15A NCAC 05H .1621      REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPORARY ABANDONMENT OF OIL or GAS WELLS

(a)  Oil or gas wells that are constructed according to Rule .1607 of this Section, but are not completed after being drilled may be temporarily abandoned in accordance with this Rule.

(b)  The permittee shall complete and submit Form 15 – Oil or Gas Well Status to the Department 30 calendar days prior to the temporary abandonment operations.  The contact information is set forth in Rule .0201 of this Subchapter. The permittee shall include the following in the completed Form 15 – Oil or Gas Well Status:

(1)           the permittee's name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address;

(2)           the county and nearest city or town where the oil or gas well is located;

(3)           the property street address, or nearest address to the ingress and egress point leading from a public road to the well pad;

(4)           the API number, the lease name, and the oil or gas well name and number;

(5)           if the request is for initial temporary abandonment or a renewal of temporary abandonment;

(6)           the type of oil and gas well;

(7)           the diameter and length of each casing string;

(8)           the type and amount of cement that will be used for each casing string;

(9)           a description of how the current condition of the oil or gas well is capable of the following:

(A)          preventing damage to the production zone;

(B)          preventing surface leakage of fluids;

(C)          protecting groundwaters; and

(D)          protecting health and safety of persons, property or the environment;

(10)         a description of the future utilization of the oil or gas well; and

(11)         a description of how the oil or gas well is in compliance with the requirements of Rule .1614 of this Section.

(c)  The permittee shall maintain bonding requirements in Section .1400 of this Subchapter until the oil or gas well is permanently plugged and abandoned.

(d)  Temporary abandonment shall be valid for a period of five years, with a maximum of one five-year renewal period before the permittee shall either place the oil or gas well into production or permanently plug and abandon the well in accordance with Rule .1618 of this Section.

(e)  The permittee shall complete and submit Form 17 – Notification of Return of Oil or Gas Well to Active Status to the Department within 14 calendar days of producing from an oil or gas well that was temporarily abandoned.  The contact information is set forth in Rule .0201 of this Subchapter. The permittee shall include the following in the completed Form 17 – Notification of Return of Oil or Gas Well to Active Status:

(1)           the permittee name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address;

(2)           the county and nearest city or town where the oil or gas well is located;

(3)           the property street address, or nearest address to the ingress and egress point leading from a public road to the well pad;

(4)           the API number, the lease name, and the oil or gas well name and number; and

(5)           the date of return to active status.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-391(a)(5)l;

Eff. March 17, 2015.