Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 1723.1

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 49, December 6, 2024

Section 1723.1 - Plugging of Oil or Gas Zones

(a) Plugging in an Open Hole. A cement plug shall be placed to extend from the total depth of the well or from at least 100 feet below the bottom of each oil or gas zone, to at least 100 feet above the top of each oil or gas zone.

(b) Plugging in a Cased Hole. All perforations shall be plugged with cement, and the plug shall extend at least 100 feet above the top of a landed liner, the uppermost perforations, the casing cementing point, the water shut-off holes, or the oil or gas zone, whichever is highest.

(c) Special Requirements. Special requirements may be made for particular types of hydrocarbon zones, such as:

(1) Fractured shale or schist;

(2) Massive sand intervals, particularly those with good vertical permeability;

(3) Any depleted productive interval more than 100 feet thick; or

(4) Multiple zones completed in a well.

As a minimum for an open-hole plugging and abandonment, the special requirement shall include a cement plug extending from at least 100 feet below the top of the oil or gas zone to at least 100 feet above the top of the zone.

As a minimum for a cased-hole plugging and abandonment, the special requirement shall include a cement plug extending from at least 25 feet below the top of the uppermost perforated interval to at least 100 feet above the top of the perforations, the top of the landed liner, the casing cementing point, the water shutoff holes, or the zone, whichever is highest.

(d) Bridge Plug. In a multiple zone completion, a single bridge plug above the lowermost zone may be allowed in lieu of cement through that zone if the zone is isolated from the upper zones by cement behind the casing. Subsequent bridge plugs are not allowed unless separated by cement plugs meeting the requirements of Section 1723.1(b). Temporary bridge plugs must be removed and replaced with cement plugs prior to shallower zone completions or well abandonment.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 1723.1

1. Amendment filed 9-21-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 39).
2. Amendment filed 12-28-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 52).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (c)(3) filed 9-3-96 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 96, No. 36).
4. Amendment of subsections (c)(2)-(3), new subsection (c)(4) and amendment of subsection (d) filed 7-11-2006; operative 8-10-2006 (Register 2006, No. 28).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 3013 and 3106, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 3228, Public Resources Code.