N.M. Code R. § 20.6.2.5209 – Plugging and Abandonment for Class I Wells and Class III Wells

A. The discharger shall submit as part of the discharge permit application, a plan for plugging and abandonment of a Class I well or a Class III well that meets the requirements of Subsection D of 20.6.2.3109, Subsection C of 20.6.2.5101, and 20.6.2.5005 NMAC for protection of ground water. If requested, a revised or updated abandonment plan shall be submitted for approval prior to closure. The obligation to implement the plugging and abandonment plan as well as the requirements of the plan survives the termination or expiration of the permit.
B. Prior to abandonment of a well used in a Class I well or Class III well operation, the well shall be plugged in a manner which will not allow the movement of fluids through the well bore out of the injection zone or between other zones of ground water. Cement plugs shall be used unless a comparable method has been approved by the secretary for the plugging of Class III wells at that site.
C. Prior to placement of the plugs, the well to be abandoned shall be in a state of static equilibrium with the mud weight equalized top to bottom, either by circulating the mud in the well at least once or by a comparable method approved by the secretary.
D. Placement of the plugs shall be accomplished by one of the following:
1. (1) the balance method; or
2. (2) the dump bailer method; or
3. (3) the two-plug method; or
4. (4) an equivalent method with the approval of the secretary.
E. The following shall be considered by the secretary in determining the adequacy of a plugging and abandonment plan:
1. (1) the type and number of plugs to be used;
2. (2) the placement of each plug, including the elevation of the top and bottom;
3. (3) the type, grade and quantity of cementing slurry to be used;
4. (4) the method of placement of the plugs;
5. (5) the procedure to be used to plug and abandon the well; and
6. (6) such other factors that may affect the adequacy of the plan.
F. The discharger shall retain all records concerning the nature and composition of injected fluids until five years after completion of any plugging and abandonment procedures.
[9-20-82, 12-1-95; 20.6.2.5209 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 6.2.V.5209, 1-15-01; A, 12-1-01; A, 8-31-15; A, 12-21-18]