§ 32-125. Plugged and abandoned wells.

(a)

Surface requirements for plugged and abandoned well. Whenever abandonment occurs pursuant to the requirements of the railroad commission, the operator so abandoning shall be responsible for the restoration of the well site to its original condition as nearly as practicable, in conformity with the regulations of this article.

(b)

Abandonment shall be approved by the inspection services provider after restoration of the drill site has been accomplished in conformity with the following requirements at the discretion of the inspection services provider:

(1)

The derrick and all appurtenant equipment thereto shall be removed from drill site;

(2)

All tanks, towers, and other surface installations shall be removed from the drill site;

(3)

All concrete foundations, piping, wood, guy anchors and other foreign materials regardless of depth, except surface casing, shall be removed from the site, unless otherwise directed by the railroad commission;

(4)

All holes and depressions shall be filled with clean, compactable soil;

(5)

All waste, refuse or waste material shall be removed from the drill site; and

(6)

During abandonment, operator shall comply with all applicable sections in this article.

(c)

Abandoned well requirement. The operator shall furnish the following at the discretion of the inspection services provider:

(1)

A copy of the approval of the railroad commission confirming compliance with all abandonment proceedings under the state law; and

(2)

A notice of intention to abandon under the provisions of this section and stating the date such work will be commenced. Abandonment may then be commenced on or subsequent to the date so stated.

(d)

Abandonment requirements prior to new construction. All abandoned or deserted wells or drill sites shall meet the most current abandonment requirements of the railroad commission prior to the issuance of any building permit for development of the property. No structure shall be built over an abandoned well.

(Code 1994, § 4.723; Ord. No. 496, § 1, 8-18-2010)