Idaho Admin. Code r. 20.07.02.211

Current through September 2, 2024

Section 20.07.02.211 - HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

01.Application Requirements. In addition to the information required by Subsection 210.01 of this rule, the owner or operator shall provide the following application information regarding hydraulic fracturing:

a. The geological names and descriptions of the formation into which well stimulation fluids are to be injected;

b. Detailed information on the base stimulation fluid source. For each stage of the well stimulation program, provide the chemical additives and proppants and concentrations or rates proposed to be mixed and injected, including:

i. Stimulation fluid identified by additive type (such as but not limited to acid, biocide, breaker, brine, corrosion inhibitor, crosslinker, demulsifier, friction reducer, gel, iron control, oxygen scavenger, pH adjusting agent, proppant, scale inhibitor, surfactant);

ii. The chemical compound name and Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number as found on the previously submitted MSDS shall be identified (such as the additive biocide is glutaraldehyde, or the additive breaker is ammonium persulfate, or the proppant is silica or quartz sand, and so on for each additive used);

iii. The proposed rate or concentration for each additive and the total volume of each shall be provided (such as gel as pounds per thousand gallons, or biocide at gallons per thousand gallons, or proppant at pounds per gallon, or expressed as percent by weight or percent by volume, or parts per million, or parts per billion); and

iv. The formulary disclosure of the chemical compounds used in the well stimulation(s) for the purpose of protecting public health and safety.

c. A detailed description of the proposed well stimulation design that shall include:

i. The anticipated surface treating pressure range;

ii. The maximum injection treating pressure, which shall be within accepted safety limits. Accepted safety limits are generally eighty percent (80%) of the maximum pressure rating of the pressurized system;

iii. The estimated or calculated fracture height in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

02.Volatile Organic Compounds and Petroleum Distallates. The injection of volatile organic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene, also known as BTEX compounds, or any petroleum distillates into ground water in excess of the applicable ground water quality standards is prohibited. Volatile organic compounds or petroleum distillates may be appropriate as additives, but they are not appropriate for use as the base fluids. The proposed use of volatile organic compounds or any petroleum distillates for well stimulation into hydrocarbon bearing zones may be authorized with prior approval of the director. Water that is produced with oil and gas, and which may contain small amounts of naturally occurring volatile organic compounds or petroleum distillates, may be used as well stimulation fluid in hydrocarbon bearing zones.

03.Well Integrity. Prior to the well stimulation, the owner or operator will perform a suitable mechanical integrity test of the casing or of the casing-tubing annulus or other mechanical integrity test methods and submit an affidavit certifying that the well was tested in anticipation of proposed treatment pressures. The owner or operator will notify the Department of this test twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) hours in advance.

04.Pressure Monitoring. During the well stimulation operation, the owner or operator shall monitor and record the annulus pressure at the casinghead. If intermediate casing has been set on the well being stimulated, the pressure in the annulus between the intermediate casing and the production casing shall also be monitored and recorded. If the annulus pressure increases by more than five hundred (500) psi gauge as compared to the pressure immediately preceding the stimulation, the owner or operator shall verbally notify the Department as soon as practicable but no later than twenty-four (24) hours following the incident.

05.Post Treatment Report. In addition to the information required by Subsection 210.06 of this rule, the owner or operator shall provide the following post-treatment reporting:

a. The actual total well stimulation treatment volume pumped;

b. The actual surface pressure and rate at the end of each fluid stage and the actual flush volume, rate and final pump pressure;

c. The instantaneous shut-in pressure, and the actual fifteen (15) minute and thirty (30) minute shut-in pressures when these pressure measurements are available;

d. A continuous record of the annulus pressure during the well stimulation;

e. A copy of the well stimulation service contractor's job log, without any cost/pricing data from the field ticket, in lieu of paragraphs (a) through (d) above. If the job log does not contain all the needed information, it must be supplemented with additional information needed to satisfy Paragraphs 211.05.a. through 211.05.d. of this rule.

f. A report containing all details pertaining to any annulus pressure increases of more than five hundred (500) psi gauge as described in Subsection 211.04 of this rule. The report shall include corrective actions taken, if necessary.

g. Results of post treatment fluid analysis used to help determine where the fluid can be disposed.

Idaho Admin. Code r. 20.07.02.211

Effective March 18, 2022