Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 601.207 - Protection of fresh groundwater; casing requirements(a) To aid in the protection of fresh groundwater, the well operator shall control and dispose of brines produced from the drilling, alteration or operation of an oil or gas well in a manner consistent with the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394), known as The Clean Streams Law, or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder.(b) To prevent the migration of gas or fluids into sources of fresh groundwater and to prevent pollution or diminution of fresh groundwaters, there shall be run and permanently cemented a string or strings of casing in each well drilled through the fresh water bearing strata to a depth and in a manner prescribed by regulation by the department.(c) When a well is drilled at a location where the coal has been removed from one or more coal seams, the well shall be drilled and cased to prevent the migration of gas or fluids into the seam from which the coal has been removed, in a manner prescribed by regulation of the department. The department and the coal operator, owner or lessee shall be given at least 72 hours' notice prior to commencement of the work protecting the mine.(d) When a well is drilled at a location where the coal seam has not been removed, the well shall be drilled to such a depth and of size as will permit the placing of casing, packers in, and vents on, the hole at such points and in such a manner prescribed by the department by regulation as will exclude all gas or fluids from the coal seam, except such as may be found naturally in the coal seam itself and will enable the monitoring of the integrity of the production casing.1984, Dec. 19, P.L. 1140, No. 223, § 207, effective in 120 days.