20 AAC 25.072. Temporary shutdown of drilling or completion operations

(a) If circumstances prevent the continuation of the program approved on a Permit to Drill (Form 10-401), or if an operator wishes to change drill rigs, the operator shall apply to the commission for approval to shut down drilling or completion operations temporarily. Based on the information received under this subsection, the commission will decide whether to approve the temporary shutdown of drilling or completion operations. The request for operation shutdown must be submitted on an Application for Sundry Approvals (Form 10-403), providing a full justification for the shutdown, a description of the proposed condition of the wellbore upon shutdown of drilling or completion operations, the approximate date when drilling or completion operations will resume, and a proposed program for securing the well during the period of shutdown. An Application for Sundry Approvals is not required for planned shutdowns of well operations, if those shutdowns are described in the approved Permit to Drill.

(b) The operator shall file with the commission, within 30 days after operation shutdown, a complete well record on a Report of Sundry Well Operations (Form 10-404), including a summary of daily well operations as described in 20 AAC 25.070(3) and a copy of all logs run in the well as required by 20 AAC 25.071(b) (6). The commission will, in its discretion, waive the requirements of this subsection if drilling or completion operations are to be resumed within 60 days after operation shutdown.

(d) If well operations are not resumed within 12 months, the operator shall immediately proceed to abandon or suspend the well. Upon application of the operator, the commission will extend the 12-month period, if the operator shows that operational circumstances beyond the operator's control prevent resumption within the 12-month period.

History: Eff. 4/2/86, Register 97; am 11/7/99, Register 152

Authority: AS 31.05.030

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