The methods and procedures for plugging a well shall be as follows:

1. (1)

   1. (A) The bottom of the hole shall be filled to the top of each producing stratum and a cement plug of not less than one hundred feet (100’) in length shall be placed inside the casing immediately above each producing stratum, or a bridge plug, regular, or wireline type, may be placed at the top of each producing stratum.

   2. (B)

      1. (i) In the event bridge plugging is to be used for permanent abandonment, the bridge plug must be covered with a minimum of ten feet (10’) of cement.
      2. (ii) The casing must be free from openings except perforations for the injection or producing formation, and the casing well bore annulus must be filled with cement to fifty feet (50’) above the top of the formation;

2. (2)

   1. (A) A cement plug not less than one hundred feet (100’) in length shall be placed at approximately fifty feet (50’) below all freshwater-bearing stratum when the surface casing is not cemented below the base of the freshwater-bearing stratum.
   2. (B) In the event the surface casing has been cemented below the base of the freshwater-bearing stratum, a one hundred foot (100’) cement plug shall be placed inside the base of the surface casing;
3. (3) A plug shall be placed at the surface of the ground in each hole plugged in such manner as not to interfere with soil cultivation;
4. (4) The interval between plugs shall be filled with an approved heavy mud-laden fluid;

5. (5)

   1. (A) An uncased rotary drilling hole shall:

      1. (i) Have a cement plug of not less than one hundred feet (100’) placed immediately above the Smackover limestone zone and any known productive zone in the area; and
      2. (ii) Be filled with approved heavy mud up to the base of the surface casing and a plug of not less than one hundred feet (100’) of cement placed inside the base of the surface casing, provided the casing is cemented through the base of the freshwater-bearing stratum.
   2. (B) A cement plug of not less than one hundred feet (100’) in length shall be placed at a point fifty feet (50’) below the base of the freshwater-bearing stratum in the event the surface casing is not cemented through the base of the freshwater-bearing stratum.
   3. (C) The hole shall be capped similar to other abandoned holes; or
6. (6) Any other method approved by the Oil and Gas Commission may be used.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "(Source: 1992 rule book)"