(a) You must permanently plug wells according to the table in this section. The District Manager may require additional well plugs as necessary.
Permanent Well Plugging Requirements----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Zones in open hole, Cement plug(s) set from at least 100 feet below the
bottom to 100 feet above the top of oil, gas, and fresh-
(i) A cement plug, set by the displacement method, at
least 100 feet above and below deepest casing shoe;
(ii) A cement retainer with effective back-pressure
control set 50 to 100 feet above the casing shoe, and a
cement plug that extends at least 100 feet below the
casing shoe and at least 50 feet above the retainer; or
(iii) A bridge plug set 50 feet to 100 feet above the
shoe with 50 feet of cement on top of the bridge plug,
for expected or known lost circulation conditions.(3) A perforated zone that is currently open and (i) A method to squeeze cement to all perforations;
not previously squeezed or isolated, (ii) A cement plug set by the displacement method, at
least 100 feet above to 100 feet below the perforated
interval, or down to a casing plug, whichever is less;
or.
(iii) If the perforated zones are isolated from the hole
below, you may use any of the plugs specified in
paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) through (E) of this section
instead of those specified in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) and
(a)(3)(ii) of this section..
(3)(ii) of this section..
(ii) of this section..
(A) A cement retainer with effective back-pressure
control set 50 to 100 feet above the top of the
perforated interval, and a cement plug that extends at
least 100 feet below the bottom of the perforated
interval with at least 50 feet of cement above the
retainer;
(B) A bridge plug set 50 to 100 feet above the top of the
perforated interval and at least 50 feet of cement on
top of the bridge plug;
(C) A cement plug at least 200 feet in length, set by the
displacement method, with the bottom of the plug no more
than 100 feet above the perforated interval;
(D) A through-tubing basket plug set no more than 100
feet above the perforated interval with at least 50 feet
of cement on top of the basket plug; or
(E) A tubing plug set no more than 100 feet above the
perforated interval topped with a sufficient volume of
cement so as to extend at least 100 feet above the
uppermost packer in the wellbore and at least 300 feet
of cement in the casing annulus immediately above the
packer.(4) A casing stub where the stub end is within the (i) A cement plug set at least 100 feet above and below
casing, the stub end;
(ii) A cement retainer or bridge plug set at least 50 to
100 feet above the stub end with at least 50 feet of
cement on top of the retainer or bridge plug; or
(iii) A cement plug at least 200 feet long with the
bottom of the plug set no more than 100 feet above the
stub end.(5) A casing stub where the stub end is below the A plug as specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this
casing, section, as applicable.(6) An annular space that communicates with open A cement plug at least 200 feet long set in the annular
hole and extends to the mud line, space. For a well completed above the ocean surface, you
must pressure test each casing annulus to verify
isolation.(7) A subsea well with unsealed annulus, A cutter to sever the casing, and you must set a stub
plug as specified in paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(5) of
this section.(8) A well with casing, A cement surface plug at least 150 feet long set in the
smallest casing that extends to the mud line with the
top of the plug no more than 150 feet below the mud
line.(9) Fluid left in the hole, A fluid in the intervals between the plugs that is dense
enough to exert a hydrostatic pressure that is greater
than the formation pressures in the intervals.
(10) Permafrost areas, (i) A fluid to be left in the hole that has a freezing
point below the temperature of the permafrost, and a
treatment to inhibit corrosion; and
(ii) Cement plugs designed to set before freezing and
have a low heat of hydration.(11) Removed the barriers required in Sec. Two independent barriers, one of which must be a
250.420(b)(3) for the well to be completed mechanical barrier, in the center wellbore as described
in Sec. 250.420(b)(3) once the well is to be placed in
a permanent or temporary abandonment..----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) You must test the first plug below the surface plug and all plugs in lost circulation areas that are in open hole. The plug must pass one of the following tests to verify plug integrity:
(1) A pipe weight of at least 15,000 pounds on the plug; or
(2) A pump pressure of at least 1,000 pounds per square inch. Ensure that the pressure does not drop more than 10 percent in 15 minutes. The District Manager may require you to tests other plug(s). [76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 50900, Aug. 22, 2012]