Regulatory
Citation(s):
78.83.
Surface and coal protective casing and cementing procedures.
(c) When drilling a new well or redrilling an existing well, the operator shall install at least
one centralizer in intervals no greater than every 150 feet above the first
centralizer (surface casing string).
(f) The operator shall install at least one
centralizer within 50 feet of the casing seat and then install a centralizer at
intervals no greater than, if possible, every 150 feet above the first
centralizer (additional water protective casing string).
(g) The operator shall install at least two
centralizers. One centralizer shall be
within 50 feet of the casing seat and the second centralizer shall be within
100 feet of the surface (coal protective casing string installed through
workable coal seam).
(i) The operator shall install at least one
centralizer within 50 feet of the casing seat and then install a centralizer at
intervals no greater than, if possible, every 150 feet above the first
centralizer (additional water protective casing string extending below coal
protective string).
Question:
An operator is currently running surface,
coal protective, or water protective casing.
The new regulations require centralizers placed in certain locations and
specify a minimum installation frequency. Do they need to order more
centralizers and wait?
Response:
If they are currently running casing, they do
not need to order more centralizers and postpone well construction
activities. However, for any casing
installations that were scheduled to start after the effective date of the new
regulations (February 5, 2011), an appropriate number of centralizers must be
ordered prior to running the casing and installed in accordance with the
regulations.