250.1712—What information must I submit before I permanently plug a well or zone?
Before you permanently plug a well or zone, you must submit form MMS-124, Application for Permit to Modify, to the appropriate District Manager and receive approval. A request for approval must contain the following information:
(a)
The reason you are plugging the well (or zone), for completions with production amounts specified by the Regional Supervisor, along with substantiating information demonstrating its lack of capacity for further profitable production of oil, gas, or sulfur;
(14)
Your plans to protect archaeological and sensitive biological features, including anchor damage during plugging operations, a brief assessment of the environmental impacts of the plugging operations, and the procedures and mitigation measures you will take to minimize such impacts; and
(g)
Certification by a Registered Professional Engineer of the well abandonment design and procedures; that there will be at least two independent tested barriers, including one mechanical barrier, across each flow path during abandonment activities; and that the plug meets the requirements in the table in § 250.1715. The Registered Professional Engineer must be registered in a State in the United States. You must submit this certification with your APM (Form MMS-124).