Authority: IC 14-37-3

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 4. (a) This section establishes requirements for the completion of wells for oil and gas purposes in areas underlain by the following commercially minable coal resources:

1. (1) Areas within the permit boundary of an active or inactive underground mine permitted under IC 14-34 as described in section 1(a)(1) and 1(a)(2) of this rule.
2. (2) Areas designated by the owner, lessee, or other person with the right to develop a coal seam identified according to section 1(c) of this rule.

(b) For wells completed in areas underlain by commercially minable coal resources identified under subsection (a), the owner or operator must set a production string of casing properly centralized and cemented to ensure that adequate cement is placed behind the casing in the area between fifty (50) feet below and one hundred (100) feet above the commercially minable coal seam.

(c) Following completion of the coal seam protection requirements of subsection (b), the owner or operator must prepare and submit to the division of reclamation an affidavit on a form prescribed by the division that includes the following:

1. (1) Verification that the commercially minable coal resource was protected as required by subsection (b).
2. (2) A cross-section drawing of the well showing the location of each centralizer in the completed well.
3. (3) Evidence that adequate cement was circulated behind the casing as required by subsection (b) including cement tickets showing the volume and type of cement used and copies of any cement bond variable density logs or other similar logs that were run.

(d) The division of reclamation may require the owner or operator to run a cement bond-variable density log or other similar logging procedure to determine the adequacy of cement bonding if the division director finds either:

1. (1) adequate cement has not been circulated to protect the commercially minable coal resource; or
2. (2) centralizers were not placed at locations necessary to properly centralize the casing through the coal seam.

(e) If any logging procedure run under subsection (d) indicates that adequate cement bonding has not occurred between fifty (50) feet below or one hundred (100) feet above the commercially minable coal resource, the owner or operator must perform remedial action as ordered by the division director to ensure adequate protection of the coal seam.

(f) An original copy of the affidavit required under subsection (c) and any logs run under subsection (d) must be submitted to the division of reclamation within thirty (30) days after the later of:

1. (1) construction of the well was completed; or
2. (2) completion of any logging procedure under subsection (d).

(g) Concurrent with the submission of the affidavit and any logs to the division of reclamation under subsection (f), the owner or operator shall also submit copies of the documents to any known owner or operator of the commercially minable coal resource.

(h) If the division director finds evidence of a failure to adequately protect a coal seam by an owner or operator under the requirements of this section, the owner or operator must perform additional remedial actions to ensure protection of the coal resource and the health and safety of miners. Significant water, gas, or other fluid movement through the annular space outside the protective casing string and into an underground mine is evidence of a failure to adequately protect the coal seam.

(i) Running any log under subsection (d) or conducting any remedial actions under subsection (h) are at the expense of the owner or operator.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-17-4; filed Dec 1, 2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA; readopted filed Jan 17, 2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA; errata filed Mar 18, 2026, 9:59 a.m.: 20260325-IR-312260094ACA)