Section 245.805  Hydraulic Fracturing String Requirements and Pressure Testing

Hydraulic fracturing strings, if used in any wells regulated by this Part, shall be set or reset pursuant to the requirements of this Section.

a)         Hydraulic fracturing strings must be either strung into a production liner or run with a packer set at least 100 feet below the deepest cement top.

b)         A function-tested relief valve and diversion line must be installed and used to divert flow from the hydraulic fracturing string-casing annulus to a covered watertight steel tank in case of hydraulic fracturing string failure.

1)         The relief valve must be set to limit the annular pressure to no more than 95% of the working pressure rating of the weakest casings forming the annulus.

2)         The annulus between the hydraulic fracturing string and the production or immediate casing must be pressurized to at least 250 psi and monitored.

c)         Hydraulic fracturing strings must be tested to not less than the maximum anticipated treating pressure minus the annulus pressure applied between the fracturing string and the production or immediate casing.  The pressure test shall be considered successful if the pressure applied has been held for 30 minutes with no more than 5% pressure loss. (Section 1-70(d)(17) of the Act)

d)         The permittee shall notify the Department's District Office by phone and electronic mail at least 24 hours before conducting a pressure test of the hydraulic fracturing string to enable an inspector to be present when the test is performed. 

e)         A record of the pressure test shall be made on a form prescribed by the Department, maintained by the permittee in the well file, and made available at the well site to the Department upon request and included in the HVHHF operations completion report pursuant to Section 245.860(d).

f)         If any change to the well involving resetting, repositioning, reconnecting or breaking any pressure connection of the hydraulic fracturing string occurs after a stage of high volume horizontal hydraulic treatment, the pressure test requirements of subsections (c) through (e) must be successfully repeated before initiating any subsequent stage of HVHHF treatment.