Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-37-3

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 21. (a) This section applies to all oil and gas production wells completed without a circulated production casing.

(b) The owner or operator shall maintain fluid levels in production wells completed without circulated production casing at least one hundred (100) feet below the depth of the lowermost underground source of drinking water.

(c) Fluid levels within one hundred (100) feet of the elevation of the lowermost underground source of drinking water are considered to pose a risk of contamination to the underground source of drinking water unless the operator can demonstrate one (1) or more of the following:

1. (1) Based on fluid analysis or annual monitoring of fluid levels, the well does not pose a threat to ground water quality.
2. (2) An internal mechanical integrity test is performed at least once every five (5) years on the production casing to demonstrate that the casing is adequate to isolate well fluids from the underground source of drinking water.

(d) The owner or operator of any well that poses a risk of contamination to an underground source of drinking water as a result of high fluid levels shall promptly:

1. (1) repair or replace the affected casing;
2. (2) take other measures to ensure protection of the underground source of drinking water; or
3. (3) plug and abandon the well.

(e) If an owner or operator is unable to pump down a well within normal pumping intervals for that well, or observes other conditions suggesting a hole exists in the production casing, the owner or operator shall:

1. (1) notify the division of reclamation within forty-eight (48) hours of the discovery; and
2. (2) monitor fluid levels in the well as required by the division of reclamation to determine whether the well poses a risk of contamination to underground sources of drinking water.

(f) The division of reclamation may require an owner or operator of a production well with uncirculated casing that has been inactive for a period of at least sixty (60) days to monitor fluid levels to determine whether the well poses a risk of contamination to underground sources of drinking water.

(g) Where the division pf reclamation determines that coal seams, oil or gas formations, or any water bearing formations existing behind the production casing are not protected with cement, and there is evidence that a buildup of pressure may be occurring in the production casing and surface casing annulus, the owner or operator may be required to:

1. (1) configure the well to include a one-fourth (1/4) inch female fitting, with shut-off valve, to allow monitoring of the annular pressure between the production casing and the surface casing; or
2. (2) install a vent to the surface from the annulus to prevent the buildup of pressure.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-25-21; 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)