62-528.300 Underground Injection Control: General Provisions.

(6) Mechanical Integrity.

(a) An injection well has mechanical integrity if:

1. There is no leak in the casing, tubing or packer; and

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

(b) One of the following tests shall be used to evaluate the absence of leaks under subparagraph (a)1. of this subsection.

1. Monitoring of the tubing-casing annulus pressure with sufficient frequency to be representative, as determined by the Department, while maintaining an annulus pressure different from atmospheric pressure measured at the surface, after an initial pressure test pursuant to subparagraph 2. and paragraph (e) of this subsection; or

2. Pressure test of inner casing or tubing.

(c) The following methods shall be used to determine the absence of fluid movement under subparagraph (a)2. A temperature or noise log, and a radioactive tracer survey. The radioactive tracer survey shall not be required by the Department if such testing may pose a threat to an underground source of drinking water.

(d) The Department shall allow the use of a test to demonstrate mechanical integrity, other than those listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) above, with the written approval of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. (The permittee proposes the alternative to the Department, and the Department seeks the approval from EPA.) If the Environmental Protection Agency has published in the Federal Register an alternative mechanical integrity test method, only written Department approval shall be required before conducting alternative mechanical integrity tests to those specified in (b) and (c) above. The Department approval process is described in Rule 62-528.100(2), F.A.C.

(e) A pressure test required under paragraph (b) above shall be conducted with a liquid at a minimum pressure of 1.5 times the maximum pressure at which the well is to be permitted, or 50 PSI, whichever is higher, for at least one hour. Internal mechanical integrity under subparagraph (a)1. above is demonstrated if there is no more than a five-percent pressure change over the one-hour test period. The pressure used to test wells constructed using tubing and packer shall not exceed the design specifications of the tubing or packer.

(f) In conducting and evaluating the tests enumerated in this rule or others to be allowed by the Department, the permittee and the Department shall apply methods and standards generally accepted in the industry. When the permittee reports the results of mechanical integrity tests to the Department, a description of the test(s), method(s) used, and interpretation of the results shall be included. In making the evaluation, the Department shall review monitoring and other test data submitted since the previous evaluation.

(g) The Department shall require additional or alternative mechanical integrity tests in accordance with 40 C.F.R. 146.8(f) (1996).

(h) A permit for any Class I or III well or injection project which lacks mechanical integrity shall include, and for any Class V well may include, a condition prohibiting injection operations until the permittee affirmatively demonstrates under Rule 62-528.300(6)(a)-(c), F.A.C., that the well has mechanical integrity, or the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that there is no movement of fluid into or between underground sources of drinking water.