20 AAC 25.412. Casing, cementing, and tubing of injection wells for enhanced recovery, disposal, and storage

(a) A well used for injection must be cased and cemented in accordance with 20 AAC 25.030 to prevent leakage into oil, gas, or freshwater sources.

(b) A well used for injection must be equipped with tubing and a packer, or with other equipment that isolates pressure to the injection interval, unless the commission approves the operator's use of alternate means to ensure that injection of fluid is limited to the injection zone. The minimum burst pressure of the tubing must exceed the maximum surface injection pressure by at least 25 percent. The packer must be placed within 200 feet measured depth above the top of the perforations, unless the commission approves a different placement depth as the commission considers appropriate given the thickness and depth of the confining zone.

(c) Before injection begins, a well must be pressure-tested to demonstrate the mechanical integrity of the tubing and packer and of the casing immediately surrounding the injection tubing string. The casing must be tested at a surface pressure of 1,500 psig or at a surface pressure of 0.25 psi/ft multiplied by the true vertical depth of the casing shoe, whichever is greater, but the casing may not be subjected to a hoop stress that will exceed 70 percent of the minimum yield strength of the casing. The test pressure must show stabilizing pressure and may not decline more than 10 percent within 30 minutes.

(d) The operator shall provide a cement quality log or other well data approved by the commission to demonstrate isolation of the injected fluids to the approved interval.

(e) At least 24 hours notice of a pressure test required by (c) of this section must be given so that a representative of the commission can witness the test.

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

Authority: AS 31.05.030

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