§ 17-30346. Agreement with Well Owner or Operator.

(a) No licensee shall perform well logging services operations with a sealed source unless, prior to commencement of the operation, the licensee has a written agreement with the well operator, well-owner, drilling contractor, or land owner describing who shall be responsible for meeting the following requirements:

(1) In the event a sealed source is lodged downhole, a reasonable effort shall be made to recover it.

(2) A person shall not attempt to recover a sealed source in a manner which, in the licensee's opinion, could result in its rupture.

(3) Radiation monitoring required in Section 30348.5(a) shall be performed.

(4) If the environment, any equipment, or personnel are contaminated with licensed radioactive material, they shall be decontaminated before release from the site or release for unrestricted use.

(5) If the sealed source is classified as irretrievable after reasonable efforts at recovery have been expended, the following requirements shall be implemented within 30 days:

(A) Each irretrievable well logging source shall be immobilized and sealed in place with a cement plug.

(B) A mechanical device to prevent inadvertent intrusion on the source shall be set at some point in the well above the cement plug, unless the cement plug and source are not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations.

(C) A permanent identification plaque, constructed of long lasting material such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or monel, shall be mounted at the surface of the well, unless the mounting of the plaque is not practi cal. The size of the plaque shall be at least 7 inches square and 1/8 inch thick. The plaque shall contain the word “Caution”, the radiation symbol (color requirements as described in Section 30278(a) do not have to be met), the date the source was abandoned, the name of the well owner or well operator as appropriate, the well name and well identification number(s) or other designations, an identification of the sealed source(s) by radionuclide and quantity, the depth of the source and the depth to the top of the plug and an appropriate warning such as “Do not reenter this well”.

(b) The licensee shall retain a copy of the written agreement for three years after the completion of the well logging operation.

(c) A licensee may apply, pursuant to Section 30104, for approval on a case-by-case basis of proposed procedures to abandon an irretrievable well logging source in a manner not otherwise authorized in paragraph (a)(5) above.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 11-4-91; operative 12-4-91 (Register 92, No. 5). For prior history, see Register 87, No. 28.

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208 and 25811, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 25801, 25802, 25815, 25875 and 25876, Health and Safety Code.