Laserfiche WebLink
~~ <br />The procedures used to move wells from a normal operating mode to long term standby, <br />requires transition steps that create out of balance operations of the wells. <br />The first step is to start reducing the back pressure maintained on the production gathering <br />pipeline which returns brine from the wells to the processing plant. When this step is initiated <br />the reduced pressure causes compressed gasses that accumulate in the mined cavities to <br />expand and force more brine to be recovered from the cavity than is being returned to the <br />cavity, This creates a positive balance on the volumetric flow to and from the wells, which <br />exceeds the limit of 15% required when wells are being operated under normal operating <br />conditions. When the well pressure reaches approximately 120 psi a supplemental booster <br />pump is placed in the production discharge line to assist the flow from the well to the process <br />plant. <br />When each well pressure has been decreased to atmospheric a work over operation is <br />commenced to remove the 4.5 inch production tubing from both the long and short string 7 <br />inch casings. Once the 4.5 inch tubing is removed a Cast Iron Bridge Plug is set in the 7 inch <br />casings at least 25 feet below the dissolution surface and a Mechanical Integrity Test is <br />performed on each well casing. <br />Should you have any questions or require more information concerning this matter please <br />contact me at 970-285 -0407. <br />Sincerely, <br />f~~~ <br />Ed Cooley <br />Environmental Health <br />and Safety Manager <br />cc: Elisabeth Evans/EPA <br />Erica CrosbylCDMG <br />