Prior to the design and development of anunderground storage facility, an engineer or geologist experienced in the developmentand operation of an underground storage facility shall perform an investigation todetermine the feasibility of such a facility at a particular site and in a particularreservoir. The data obtained during the feasibility investigation shall be considered inthe design of the storage facility and such data filed with the Board as a part of thepermit application. The design shall be performed by or under the supervision of anengineer or geologist and shall include, but not be limited to, such factors as:location of storage wells; number of storage wells; number and location of observationwells, if any; number and location of abandoned and plugged wells penetrating thestorage reservoir; capacity of the storage reservoir; and the geological name of thestorage reservoir. The design shall assure that project development can be conducted ina reasonable, prudent and systematic manner and shall insure environmental safety andthe prevention of waste. The design and development shall be continually reviewed inorder to take into consideration pertinent additional subsurface data. The Board shallbe advised of any tests or surveys conducted during the development phase and copiesshall be made available to the Board as soon as practical.

Author: State Oil And Gas Board

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-17-1 et seq.

History: New Rule: Filed April 11, 2000; effective May 16, 2000.