(GP/GT) for Additional Water Supply in the Lower Rio Grande

Exceptions
Tubing and packer must be set and pressure valves provided on disposal and Injection
wells. and wells must be pressure-tested at least once every five (5) years, The Statewide
Rules provide that the Director may grant exceptions to any of these provisions upon proof
of good cause. . .
Rule 13 requires that surface casing be cemented by the pump and plug method so as to
fill the annular space to the surface. The surface casing Is to be set to the depth
recommended by the Texas Water Commission to protect fresh water strata or by special
field rules establishing the depth to set surface casing. The Commission may grant
exceptions to this requirement and authorize use of the multistage completion process.
Multistage cementing Is not normally authorized. In lieu of setting surface casing. as a
means to protect fr~h water strata for wells dr1lled expressly as Class II wells.
Plugging and Abandonment
All Class II wells are required to be plugged upon abandonment. In accordance with Rule
14. Notice ofIntention to Plug and Abandon (Form W-3A) must be filed with the appropriate
district office and received five (5) days prior to the beginning of plugging operations.
Plugging operations shall not begin prior to the date shown on the Form W-3A unless
authorized by the District Director.
The general reqUirements of Rule 14 must be complied with in plugging all Class II wells.
The purpose of the requirements Is to assure the protection of all formations bearing
usable-quality water. 011. gas. or geothermal resources. Each well is also subject to the
specific requirements of Rule 14 that are applicable to the well completion situation. Special
conditions that are specific to the well. field. or area may require additional plugging
. reqUirements at the discretion of the District Director.
. An operator may request an extension ofUme to plug a well by submitting an ··Applicatlon
for Extension to Statewide Rule 14(b)(2)'" (Form E-14PB or E-14LC) with accompanytng
financial security for the exception to remain In effect. Applications regarding wells which
are associated with an active enhanced recovery project do not generally reqUire finanCial
security for plugging unless a technical review questions the feaslblllty of the future use of
the well.
Within thirty (30) days after plugging any well. a complete record (Form W-3) must be filed
In duplicate with the appropriate district office.
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