1. 1. Except during stimulation, the storage operator shall ensure that injection pressure does not exceed ninety percent of the fracture pressure of the injection zone so as to ensure that the injection does not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures in the injection zone. Injection pressure must never initiate fractures in the confining zone or cause the movement of injection or formation fluids that endanger an underground source of drinking water. All stimulation programs are subject to the Board 's approval as part of the approval of the storage facility.
   2. Injection between the outermost casing protecting underground sources of drinking water and the well bore is prohibited.
   3. The storage operator shall fill the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing with a noncorrosive fluid approved by the Board. The storage operator shall maintain on the annulus a pressure that exceeds the operating injection pressure, unless the Board determines that such requirement might harm the integrity of the well or endanger underground sources of drinking water.
   4. Other than during periods approved by the Board in which the sealed tubing-casing annulus is disassembled for maintenance or corrective procedures, the storage operator shall maintain mechanical integrity of the injection well at all times.
   5. The storage operator shall install and use the following monitoring equipment:

   1. a. Continuous recording devices to monitor the injection pressure; the rate, volume or mass, and temperature of the carbon dioxide stream; and the pressure on the annulus between the tubing and the long string casing and annulus fluid volume; and
      b. Alarms and automatic surface shutoff systems or, at the discretion of the Board, down-hole shutoff systems (e.g., automatic shutoff, check valves) or other mechanical devices that provide equivalent protection that are designed to alert the operator and shut-in the well when operating parameters diverge beyond permitted ranges or gradients specified in the permit.

2. 6. If a shutdown (down-hole or at the surface) is triggered or a loss of mechanical integrity is discovered, the storage operator shall immediately investigate and identify the cause as expeditiously as possible. If, upon such investigation, the well appears to be lacking mechanical integrity, or if monitoring required under section 5 of this rule indicates that the well may lack mechanical integrity, the storage operator shall:

   1. a. Immediately cease injection;
      b. Take all steps reasonably necessary to determine whether there may have been a release of the injected carbon dioxide stream or formation fluids into any unauthorized zone;
      c. Notify the Board within twenty-four hours;
      d. Restore and demonstrate mechanical integrity to the satisfaction of the Board prior to resuming injection; and
      e. Notify the Board when injection can be expected to resume.
3. 7. If any monitoring indicates the movement of injection or formation fluids into underground sources of drinking water, the Board shall prescribe such additional requirements for construction, corrective action, operation, monitoring, or reporting as are necessary to prevent such movement. These additional requirements must be imposed by modifying or terminating the approval of the storage facility if the Board determines that cause exists, or appropriate enforcement action may be taken if the storage facility plan has been violated.

Author: S. Marvin Rogers

Statutory Authority: 9-17-150 et seq. of the Code of Alabama (1975)

History: New Rule: Published November 27, 2024; effective January 11, 2025.