[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 10, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 10CFR39.15]

[Page 627]
 
                            TITLE 10--ENERGY
 
                CHAPTER I--NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
 
PART 39_LICENSES AND RADIATION SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR WELL LOGGING
--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart B_Specific Licensing Requirements
 
Sec. 39.15  Agreement with well owner or operator.

    (a) A licensee may perform well logging with a sealed source only 
after the licensee has a written agreement with the employing well owner 
or operator. This written agreement must identify who will meet the 
following requirements:
    (1) If a sealed source becomes lodged in the well, a reasonable 
effort will be made to recover it.
    (2) A person may not attempt to recover a sealed source in a manner 
which, in the licensee's opinion, could result in its rupture.
    (3) The radiation monitoring required in Sec. 39.69(a) will be 
performed.
    (4) If the environment, any equipment, or personnel are contaminated 
with licensed material, they must be decontaminated before release from 
the site or release for unrestricted use; and
    (5) If the sealed source is classified as irretrievable after 
reasonable efforts at recovery have been expended, the following 
requirements must be implemented within 30 days:
    (i) Each irretrievable well logging source must be immobilized and 
sealed in place with a cement plug.
    (ii) A means to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source, unless 
the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations; and
    (iii) A permanent identification plaque, constructed of long lasting 
material such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or monel, must be 
mounted at the surface of the well, unless the mounting of the plaque is 
not practical. The size of the plaque must be at least 17 cm [7 inches] 
square and 3 mm [\1/8\-inch] thick. The plaque must contain--
    (A) The word ``CAUTION'';
    (B) The radiation symbol (the color requirement in Sec. 20.1901(a) 
need not be met);
    (C) The date the source was abandoned;
    (D) The name of the well owner or well operator, as appropriate;
    (E) The well name and well identification number(s) or other 
designation;
    (F) An identification of the sealed source(s) by radionuclide and 
quantity;
    (G) The depth of the source and depth to the top of the plug; and
    (H) An appropriate warning, such as, ``DO NOT RE-ENTER THIS WELL.''
    (b) The licensee shall retain a copy of the written agreement for 3 
years after the completion of the well logging operation.
    (c) A licensee may apply, pursuant to Sec. 39.91, for Commission 
approval, on a case-by-case basis, of proposed procedures to abandon an 
irretrievable well logging source in a manner not otherwise authorized 
in paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
    (d) A written agreement between the licensee and the well owner or 
operator is not required if the licensee and the well owner or operator 
are part of the same corporate structure or otherwise similarly 
affiliated. However, the licensee shall still otherwise meet the 
requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5).

[52 FR 8234, Mar. 17, 1987, as amended at 56 FR 23472, May 21, 1991; 58 
FR 67660, Dec. 22, 1993; 65 FR 20344, Apr. 17, 2000]