R649-3-28. Designated Potash Areas

1. In any area designated as a potash area, either by the board, or an appropriate state or federal government agency, all wells shall be drilled, cased, cemented, and plugged in accordance with the rules and orders of the board. The following minimum requirements and definitions shall also apply to the drilling, logging, casing, and plugging operations within the Salt Section to protect against migration of oil, gas, or water into or within any formation or zone containing potash. As used in this rule, Salt Section shall mean the Paradox Salt Section of Pennsylvanian Age.

2. Any drilling media used through the Salt Section shall be such that sodium chloride is not soluble in the media at normal temperatures.

3. Gamma ray-neutron, gamma ray-sonic or other appropriate logs shall be run promptly through the Salt Section. One field copy of the log through the Salt Section shall be submitted to the division within ten days, or upon the request of the division, whichever is the earlier.

4. A directional survey shall be run from a point at least 20 feet below the Salt Section to the surface. The survey shall be filed with the division prior to completion or plugging and abandonment of the well.

5. In addition to the requirements of the R649-3-8, any casing set into or through the Salt Section shall be cemented solidly through the Salt Section above the casing shoe.

6. Any cement used in setting casing or in plugging that comes in contact with the Salt Section shall be of such chemical composition as to avoid dissolution of the Salt Section and to provide weight, strength, and physical properties sufficient to protect uphole formations and prevent blowouts or uncontrolled flows.

7. If a well is dry, cement plugs at least 200 feet in length shall be placed across the top and the base of the Salt Section, across any oil, gas or water show, and across any potash zone.

7.1. Plugs shall not be required inside a properly cemented casing string. The division shall approve the location of the plugs after examining the appropriate logs, drilling and testing records for the well.

7.2. No well shall be temporarily abandoned with open hole in the Salt Section.

8. The division may inspect the drilling operations at all times, including any mining operations that may affect any drilling or producing well bores. A potash owner, if contributing by agreement to the logging and directional survey costs of a well, may inspect the well for compliance with this rule.

9. Before commencing drilling operations for oil or gas on any land within designated potash area, the operator shall furnish by registered mail, a copy of the APD, together with the plat or map required under R649-3-4, to all potash owners and lessees whose interests are within a radius of 2,640 feet of the proposed well.

10.After proper notice and hearing, the board may modify this rule for a particular well or area by requiring that greater or lesser precautions be taken to prevent the escape of oil, gas, or water from one stratum into another. The board may also expand or contract from the designated potash areas.