Nebraska Administrative Code
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy

Title 122 - Rules and Regulations for Underground Injection and Mineral Production Wells
Chapter 18 - Mechanical Integrity

001 Any Class I, and III injection or mineral production well must be capable of demonstrating mechanical integrity before a permit is issued. Class V wells may be required to demonstrate mechanical integrity before being authorized or permitted.

002 An injection and/or mineral production well has mechanical integrity if:

002.01 There is no significant leak in the casing, tubing or packer; and

002.02 There is no significant fluid movement into an underground source of drinking water through vertical channels adjacent to the well bore.

003 One of the following tests must be used to evaluate the absence of significant leaks under Section 002.01 of this Chapter.

003.01 Monitoring of annulus pressure; or

003.02 Pressure test with liquid or gas.

004 One of the following methods must be used to determine the absence of significant fluid movement under Section 002.01 of this Chapter:

004.01 Well records demonstrating the presence of adequate cement to prevent such migration; or

004.02 The results of a temperature log, noise log, or cement bond log/variable density log.

005 The Director may allow the use of a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity other than those listed in Sections 003 and 004.02 of this Chapter providing it will reliably demonstrate the mechanical integrity of the well(s) for which it is proposed.

006 In conducting and evaluating the tests enumerated in this Chapter or other tests to be allowed by the Director, the owner or operator and the Director shall apply methods and standards generally accepted in the industry. When the owner or operator reports the results of mechanical integrity tests to the Director, he shall include a description of the test(s) and the method(s) used. In making his/her evaluation, the Director shall review monitoring and other test data submitted since the previous evaluation.

Enabling Legislation: Neb. Rev. Stat. ยงยง 81-1504(2)(13)(15)(24); 81-1505(9)

Legal Citation: Title 122, Ch.18, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality