Alaska Admin. Code tit. 20, § 25.1240 – Mechanical integrity

(a) A Class VI well has mechanical integrity if:
1. (1) there is no significant leak in the casing, tubing, or packer; and
2. (2) there is no significant fluid movement into underground sources of drinking water through channels adjacent to the injection well bore.
(b) To evaluate the absence of significant leaks under (a)(1) of this section, a storage operator shall, following an initial annulus pressure test, continuously monitor injection pressure, rate, injected volumes; pressure on the annulus between tubing and long-string casing; and annulus fluid volume as specified in 20 AAC 25.1230(e).
(c) At least once each year, the storage operator shall use one of the following methods to determine the absence of significant fluid movement under (a)(2) of this section:
1. (1) an approved tracer survey such as an oxygen-activation log; or
2. (2) a temperature or noise log.
(d) If required by the commission, at a frequency specified in the testing and monitoring plan required under 20 AAC 25.1250, the storage operator shall run a casing inspection log to determine the presence or absence of corrosion in the long-string casing.
(e) The commission may require any other test to evaluate mechanical integrity under (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section. In addition, the commission may allow the use of a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those listed above with the written approval of the United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. To obtain approval for a new mechanical integrity test, the commission will submit a written request to the administrator setting forth the proposed test and all technical data supporting its use.
(f) In conducting and evaluating the tests enumerated in this section or others to be allowed by the commission, the storage operator and the commission shall apply methods and standards generally accepted in the industry. When a storage operator reports the results of mechanical integrity tests to the commission, the storage operator shall include a description of the test and the method used. In making its evaluation, the commission will review monitoring and other test data submitted by the storage operator since the previous evaluation.
(g) The commission may require additional or alternative tests if the results presented by the storage operator under (a) through (d) of this section are not satisfactory to the commission to demonstrate that there is no significant leak in the casing, tubing, or packer, or to demonstrate that there is no significant movement of fluid into a underground sources of drinking water resulting from the injection activity as stated in (a)(1) and (2) of this section. The commission may allow the use of a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those identified in this section with the written approval of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The commission shall submit the information required for consideration by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(h) When the commission determines that a Class VI well lacks mechanical integrity under 20 AAC 25.1070 or this section, the commission shall give written notice of the commission's determination to the storage operator. Unless the commission requires immediate cessation, the storage operator shall cease injection into the well within 48 hours of receipt of the commission's determination. The commission may allow plugging of the well pursuant to the requirements of 20 AAC 25.1300, or require the storage operator to perform additional construction, operation, monitoring, reporting and corrective action as is necessary to prevent the movement of fluid into or between underground sources of drinking water caused by the lack of mechanical integrity. The storage operator may resume injection upon written notification from the commission that the storage operator has demonstrated mechanical integrity pursuant to this section.