Mr. Erik Milito - The House Committee on Natural Resources ...

18 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 51R
In addition to the cement plugs described herein, many state and federal regulatory agencies require cement plugs
across the base of the surface casing and in, or between, each producing and potential producing zone.
6.4.2.3 Fluid Confinement
It is essential that all formations bearing usable quality water, oil, gas, or geothermal resources be protected and/or
isolated. <strong>The</strong> prevention of gas or fluid migration to other zones or to the surface is of primary importance. Openhole
plugs, casing plugs, or cement squeezed through casing perforations will isolate the target formations in most
cases. However, special procedures, such as perforating casing and circulating cement, may be necessary to isolate
that potential production or injection formations existing behind uncemented casing. It is important to prevent
interzonal flow in an abandoned well so that such cross-flow does not interfere in the commercial exploitation of the
zones through nearby wellbores.
6.4.3 Surface
6.4.3.1 General
<strong>The</strong> cleanup and remediation of the surface may include cutting off the surface casing below ground level, restoring
the surface to conditions near those that existed prior to the well being drilled, and marking the surface of the
wellbore by installing an upright marker. <strong>The</strong> operator should restore the well site consistent with the criteria
presented in API Environmental Guidance Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration and
Production Operations. However, the landowner should be consulted before beginning well site remediation. Some
states require that the landowner be notified that a well is to be plugged. <strong>The</strong> landowner may have a right to use the
well for a freshwater source.
6.4.3.2 Cleanup and Remediation
Assuming the landowner elects not to use the well as a freshwater source, the operator should set the required
surface plugs; remove the wellhead; weld a steel plate on the surface casing stub, if required; fill in the well cellar, rat
hole and mouse hole; and level the area. Casing strings left in the well should be cut off 3 ft to 6 ft below ground
level, or deeper if required by the landowner.
Pits should be emptied and reclaimed to a condition similar to the rest of the reclaimed pad area. Pits should be
allowed to dry or be solidified in situ before filling. <strong>The</strong> pit area may be mounded to allow for settling. Before
removing or abandoning pipelines or flowlines, fluid displacement and line purging should be considered and fluid
reclaimed, recycled, or properly disposed of according to fluid type.
Open burning can be used in some areas to dispose of nonhazardous, hydrocarbon-containing wastes that are
unsuitable for recycling. Burning should be restricted to materials such as oily sorbents and paraffin and should be
conducted only with approval of state or local air pollution regulatory agencies. Burning should be conducted during
daytime hours and with due regard to wind direction and velocity. <strong>The</strong> results should not cause a nuisance that could
result in black smoke or particulates.
Off-site commercial facilities should be used for other nonhazardous and hazardous waste disposal. <strong>The</strong> off-site
facilities should be permitted and care should be taken with site selection. Refer to API Environmental Guidance
Document: Onshore Solid Waste Management in Exploration and Production Operations, API 4663 and API’s
Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities.