An owner who elects to stimulate a well shall stimulate the well in a manner that will not endanger underground sources of drinking water. Not later than twenty-four hours before commencing the stimulation of a well, the owner or the owner's authorized representative shall notify an oil and gas resources inspector. If during the stimulation of a well damage to the production casing or cement occurs and results in the circulation of fluids from the annulus of the surface production casing, the owner shall immediately terminate the stimulation of the well and notify the chief of the division of oil and gas resources management. If the chief determines that the casing and the cement may be remediated in a manner that isolates the oil and gas bearing zones of the well, the chief may authorize the completion of the stimulation of the well. If the chief determines that the stimulation of a well resulted in irreparable damage to the well, the chief shall order that the well be plugged and abandoned within thirty days of the issuance of the order.

For purposes of determining the integrity of the remediation of the casing or cement of a well that was damaged during the stimulation of the well, the chief may require the owner of the well to submit cement evaluation logs, temperature surveys, pressure tests, or a combination of such logs, surveys, and tests.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.

Added by 128th General AssemblyFile No.27, SB 165, §1, eff. 6/30/2010.

Former Sec. 1509.19, effective 07-25-1980, was repealed.