R655-1-8. Temperature Gradient Wells

  8.1 General: Wells may be drilled upon approval of the State Engineer for measurement of subsurface temperatures and conductive heat flow.

  8.2 Information: Request for a temperature gradient well program shall include the following information:

  (a) Well number.

  (b) Well location, elevation and expected depth.

  (c) Geologic interpretation of area under investigation, including any known or inferred temperature data.

  (d) Proposed drilling program, including method and casing schedule.

  (e) Proposed method of abandonment.

  (f) The State Engineer may require other data and impose restrictions or supervision by the Division as his studies may indicate.

  8.3 Conditions: The following general conditions shall apply to temperature gradient wells:

  (a) The depth of the hole shall not exceed 1,000 feet unless otherwise authorized by the State Engineer.

  (b) The wells are to be cased and sealed against the water in the formations to be drilled.

  (c) Return mud or air temperatures shall be monitored at, at least 30 foot intervals and should the temperature reach 125 degrees F. the drilling shall cease and the casing installed or the hole abandoned. Plastic casing may be used at temperatures under 125 degrees F.; otherwise, steel casing shall be used.

  (d) Upon completion of the testing program, the casings are to be capped, or the casings are to be pulled and the holes cemented from bottom to top.

  (e) The driller must have a current well driller's license from the State Engineer in accordance with R655-4 UAC. The driller shall also comply with the rules and regulations of R644-4 UAC when drilling temperature gradient wells. At least 48 hours before starting, the driller must give this Division notice of the day that drilling will commence.

  (f) A well completion report, including temperature data, shall be submitted to the State Engineer within 90-days of completion. The well completion report shall be public record unless the owner or operator requests, in writing, that the records be held confidential in accordance with Section 73-22-6(1)(c).

  (g) The driller shall exercise due caution in all drilling operations to prevent blowouts, explosions or fires.