[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 22]
[Revised as of July 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR146.14]

[Page 729-731]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 146_UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PROGRAM: CRITERIA AND STANDARDS
--Table of Contents
 
      Subpart B_Criteria and Standards Applicable to Class I Wells
 
Sec.  146.14  Information to be considered by the Director.

    This section sets forth the information which must be considered by 
the Director in authorizing Class I wells. For an existing or converted 
new Class I well the Director may rely on the existing permit file for 
those items of information listed below which are current and accurate 
in the file. For a newly drilled Class I well, the Director shall 
require the submission of all the information listed below. For both 
existing and new Class I wells certain maps, cross-sections, tabulations 
of wells within the area of review and other data may be included in the 
application by reference provided they are current, readily available to 
the Director (for example, in the permitting agency's files) and 
sufficiently identified to be retrieved. In cases where EPA issues the 
permit all the information in this section must be submitted to the 
Administrator.
    (a) Prior to the issuance of a permit for an existing Class I well 
to operate

[[Page 730]]

or the construction or conversion of a new Class I well the Director 
shall consider the following:
    (1) Information required in 40 CFR 144.31 and 144.31(g);
    (2) A map showing the injection well(s) for which a permit is sought 
and the applicable area of review. Within the area of review, the map 
must show the number, or name, and location of all producing wells, dry 
holes, surface bodies of water, springs, mines (surface and subsurface), 
quarries, water wells and other pertinent surface features including 
residences and roads. The map should also show faults, if known or 
suspected. Only information of public record is required to be included 
on this map;
    (3) A tabulation of data on all wells within the area of review 
which penetrate into the proposed injection zone. Such data shall 
include a description of each well's type, construction, date drilled, 
location, depth, record of plugging and/or completion, and any 
additional information the Director may require;
    (4) Maps and cross sections indicating the general vertical and 
lateral limits of all underground sources of drinking water within the 
area of review, their position relative to the injection formation and 
the direction of water movement, where known, in each underground source 
of drinking water which may be affected by the proposed injection;
    (5) Maps and cross sections detailing the geologic structure of the 
local area;
    (6) Generalized maps and cross sections illustrating the regional 
geologic setting;
    (7) Proposed operating data:
    (i) Average and maximum daily rate and volume of the fluid to be 
injected;
    (ii) Average and maximum injection pressure; and
    (iii) Source and an analysis of the chemical, physical, radiological 
and biological characteristics of injection fluids;
    (8) Proposed formation testing program to obtain an analysis of the 
chemical, physical and radiological characteristics of and other 
information on the receiving formation;
    (9) Proposed stimulation program;
    (10) Proposed injection procedure;
    (11) Schematic or other appropriate drawings of the surface and 
subsurface construction details of the well.
    (12) Contingency plans to cope with all shut-ins or well failures so 
as to prevent migration of fluids into any underground source of 
drinking water;
    (13) Plans (including maps) for meeting the monitoring requirements 
in Sec.  146.13(b);
    (14) For wells within the area of review which penetrate the 
injection zone but are not properly completed or plugged, the corrective 
action proposed to be taken under 40 CFR 144.55;
    (15) Construction procedures including a cementing and casing 
program, logging procedures, deviation checks, and a drilling, testing, 
and coring program; and
    (16) A certificate that the applicant has assured, through a 
performance bond or other appropriate means, the resources necessary to 
close, plug or abandon the well as required by 40 CFR 122.42(g).
    (b) Prior to granting approval for the operation of a Class I well 
the Director shall consider the following information:
    (1) All available logging and testing program data on the well;
    (2) A demonstration of mechanical integrity pursuant to Sec.  146.8;
    (3) The anticipated maximum pressure and flow rate at which the 
permittee will operate;
    (4) The results of the formation testing program;
    (5) The actual injection procedure;
    (6) The compatibility of injected waste with fluids in the injection 
zone and minerals in both the injection zone and the confining zone; and
    (7) The status of corrective action on defective wells in the area 
of review.
    (c) Prior to granting approval for the plugging and abandonment of a 
Class I well the Director shall consider the following information:
    (1) The type and number of plugs to be used;
    (2) The placement of each plug including the elevation of the top 
and bottom;
    (3) The type and grade and quantity of cement to be used;
    (4) The method for placement of the plugs; and

[[Page 731]]

    (5) The procedure to be used to meet the requirement of Sec.  
146.10(c).

(Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912, 6925, 6927, 6974)

[45 FR 42500, June 24, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 43162, Aug. 27, 1981; 
48 FR 14293, Apr. 1, 1983]