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r~ <br />Numerous BLM field offices, engineers, geologists and ~ ottnd water hydrologists were contacted for <br />information for well abandonment procedures suitable to the wells that intercepted federal coal <br />resources, per agreement of 04/27/02 meeting. None of the opinions concurred with Kerr's preferred <br />sealing method (cement only within existing PVC) voiced at the 2/27/02 meeting. It became apparent <br />that it was not uncommon for wells to be over drilled through PVC casing for casing replacement or <br />abandonment. More than one opinion thought that cement would not likely Flow through casing slots <br />effectively enough to seal the borehole annulus. In oil and gas wells, steel casing can be dissolved by <br />means of acid injection, then casing replacement or plugging occur, but no method was known to safely <br />dissolve PVC in similar manner. <br />BLM is hereby giving Kerr a number of options for abandonment of these wells. Attached Table 1 <br />describes these methods. Economic differences among the varying methods are unknown, but we will <br />leave the final method choice to Kerr. It is not our objective to cost Kerr any more than is necessary to <br />safely and properly isolate and protect the federal coal resource that remains at this area. <br />Please contact John Morrone of this office (970-370-6132; 970-724-3015- Kremmling; 970-734-3125- <br />cell) for any clarification or assistance in this manner. <br />We reaffirnt that all Kerr federal wells are to be plugged by August 12, 2002, per previous correspon- <br />dence. <br />Sin~ely, /, <br />~LY <br />Linda N1. Gross <br />Field Manager <br />Attachment: Table l <br />,,. <br />cc: Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Attn: Jim Stark <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 30203 <br />US Office of Surface Mining <br />Atm: Henry Austin <br />1999 Broadway, Suite 3320 <br />Denver,CO 50202-1733 <br />Montgomery Watson Harza <br />Attn: Jerry Nettleton <br />PO Box 774018 <br />Steamboat Springs, CO 30477 <br />