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National UIC Technical Workgroup Second Newsletter
National UIC Technical Workgroup
Second Newsletter
FINAL WORKGROUP PRODUCTS
Fracture Slurry Injection Paper
Author: Joe Kordzi
The national UIC technical workgroup has finalized its first work products. The first of these is a paper entitled "Class I Fracture Slurry Injection" which summarizes the available technology applicable to this injection technique. Essentially, the injection operation entails creation of a thick liquid, or slurry, which is injected at pressures exceeding the fracture gradient of the target geologic formation thus opening and extending fractures to allow emplacement of the slurry. Aspects which are addressed in the paper include vertical containment issues related to injection of the slurry, monitoring techniques to verify that the injected slurry is correctly emplaced, and regulatory considerations which currently prohibit this practice.
Area of Review Summary
Author: Steve Platt
The workgroup has completed a compilation of the various considerations applicable to area of review methods across the nation. This table contains information about how areas of review are calculated, under what conditions they are conducted, their areal dimensions, and which agency conducts them. All well classes are covered in the compilation.
NOTE: The Region 8 office serves as a respository for final workgroup products. Contact either Carol Bowden in Region 8 or the author to obtain a copy of a final workgroup product.
DRAFT WORKGROUP PRODUCTS
Dual Completion Well (Class II) Mechanical Integrity Test Standards
Author: Nathan Wiser
A first draft describing conditions and thresholds for passing or failing a mechanical integrity test was created by the workgroup. The final workgroup product will take the form of a final notice in the Federal Register. The dual completion wells which are contemplated in the draft are restricted to those that simultaneously produce oil to the surface and inject water from the surface. There are wells of this type known to exist in Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, and Wyoming. The workgroup would welcome information on such wells in other locations, as well. The test incorporates for two basic components: (1) observation of decline curves and (2) monitoring fluid level in the production annulus.
Class II Permit Boilerplate Comparison
Author: Bill Mann
A first draft was developed which compares the standard language (boilerplate) used in Class II permits issued in the Direct Implementation programs in Regions 3, 4, 5, and 8. Although each Region's format is somewhat different, there is considerable similarity in both general and specific requirements among the different permit boilerplates.
Cement Requirements for Class II Wells in Direct Implementation Programs
Author: Steve Platt
In Class II wells, cement records are allowed to serve in lieu of a direct confirmation of a lack of fluid movement behind casing (mechanical integrity Part II). The workgroup has developed a draft document which compares the cementing standards prescribed by each Region's Class II Direct Implementation program to meet this requirement.
ISSUES ON WHICH WORK HAS BEGUN
The following topics are in a state in which work has begun, but no documents for review have yet been developed.
Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in Injection Wells
Author: Bill Mann
This will be a summary of literature available covering NORM.
Falloff Testing Technical Assistance Document
Author: Joe Kordzi
This technical assistance document will provide injection well operators and contractors with a concise description of modern falloff testing procedures and analysis techniques.
Fluids Acceptable for Injection into Class II Wells
Authors: Paul Osborne and Jonathan Williams
This paper will provide a detailed review of what waste fluids can be injected into Class II injection wells.
Feasibility of Aquifer Exemptions in Non-Injection Zones
Author: Bruce Kobelski
This paper will address the issue of exempting aquifers into which no injection occurs. How is this done within the existing regulatory scheme?
OTHER ISSUES ON OUR PLATE
The workgroup also has several remaining topics for which we have not yet developed draft documents. In the future, the workgroup expects to consider these issues either as lead or in a support capacity to assist others to develop quality work products. These topics follow:
Financial Responsibility
MIT Standards
Injection Fluid Analysis
Continuous Cement
Annulus Additives
Plugging Procedures
Temporarily Abandoned Wells
Use of Downhole Separators
COMMUNICATION
The national UIC technical workgroup reiterates its commitment to open dialogue with any and all interested persons. There are a number of ways interested persons may become involved in the activities in the workgroup.
- Call or email any of the workgroup members. The telephone numbers and email addresses are listed in this newsletter.
- Visit websites that have information about the workgroup activities.
The GWPC website will soon post these newsletters on its new homepage:
Ground Water Protection Council
In addition, the workgroup is exploring the option of establishing workgroup information on a website to be developed to provide information about the Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water. This website is:
- Become a direct recipient of this electronic newsletter by contacting Nathan Wiser in Region 5. See member list in this newsletter for his n umber and email address.
The workgroup provides updates at national meetings, and considers ideas and issues brought forth from States, industry, and others.
NEXT MEETING
The next national UIC technical workgroup meeting will take place in Denver, Colorado June 14-15, 1998. Topics to be discussed include all the draft products now underway, and other topics of interest brought to the workgroup by interested parties. If there are any ideas the workgroup should discuss, please provide one of the members with information to bring up at the meeting.
MEMBERSHIP
The Workgroup consists of 19 Federal employees from nine EPA Regions and EPA Headquarters. These members are listed below.
| Headquarters | ||
| Bruce Kobelski | kobelski.bruce@epa.gov | (202) 260-7275 |
| Robert Smith | smith.roberteu@epa.gov | (202) 260-5559 |
| Region 2 | ||
| Charles Hillenbrand | hillenbrand.charles@epa.gov | (212) 637-4226 |
| Region 3 | ||
| Mark Nelson | nelson.mark@epa.gov | (215) 566-5461 |
| Steve Platt | platt.steve@epa.gov | (215) 566-5464 |
| Region 4 | ||
| Bill Mann | mann.bill@epa.gov | (404) 562-9452 |
| Region 5 | ||
| Harlan Gerrish | gerrish.harlan@epa.gov | (312) 886-2939 |
| Allen Melcer | melcer.allen@epa.gov | (312) 886-1498 |
| Nathan Wiser | wiser.nathan@epa.gov | (312) 353-9569 |
| Region 6 | ||
| Brian Graves | graves.brian@epa.gov | (214) 665-7193 |
| Joe Kordzi | kordzi.joe@epa.gov | (214) 665-7186 |
| Region 7 | ||
| Ted Fritz | fritz.theodore@epa.gov | (913) 551-7412 |
| Kurt Hildebrandt | hildebrandt.kurt@epa.gov | (913) 551-7413 |
| Region 8 | ||
| Carol Bowden | bowden.carol@epa.gov | (303) 312-6485 |
| Paul Osborne | osborne.paul@epa.gov | (303) 312-6125 |
| Region 9 | ||
| Gregg Olson | olson.gregg@epa.gov | (415) 744-1828 |
| George Robin | robin.george@epa.gov | (415) 744-1819 |
| Jim Walker | walker.jim@epa.gov | (415) 744-1833 |
| Region 10 | ||
| Jonathan Williams | williams.jonathan@epa.gov | (206) 553-1369 |