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§ 146.10(b) specifies that the dump bailer method, the balance method, or.the two plug method be <br />used to plug a well. These practices represent existing methods employed that have proved <br />effective in a wide range of application." <br />With respect to Class IV wells, traditional methods of abandonment, such as plugging, <br />may be inappropriate due to the crude construction of the well. In such a case, the only <br />abandonment requirements might simply be closure of the well. <br />MONITORING FREQUENCIES <br />The regulations also require various kinds of monitoring." Monitoring can provide an <br />early warning of potential serious degradation of underground sources of drinking water. <br />Wells in Classes I, II, and Ill share common monitoring requirements. Injection fluids <br />must be tested with sufficient frequency to field data representative of fluid characteristics. <br />Information of this sort is essential for the Director to understand the operation of a particular <br />well. Such information serves the important function of providing basic knowledge of enabling <br />Directors to analyze reasons for well failures, to establish appropriate remedies to correct them <br />and to assess any endangerment the failures might cause. <br />The regulations also require monitoring of operating characteristics of wells in Classes I, <br />II, and IlI. Class I and III wells must have continuous recording devices to monitor injection <br />pressure, flow rate, and volume of injection fluids 52 Continuous monitoring is appropriate <br />because fluids injected by Class I and III wells are usually more corrosive and hazardous than are <br />fluids injected by others. These fluid properties increase the risk of serious well leaks or failures. <br />Continuous monitoring, furthermore, is a common practice for these wells, in part because they <br />often inject fluids in uninterrupted streams. <br />Class I wells must comply with the additional requirement of continuously monitoring the <br />pressure in the annulus of the well between the tubing and the long string. The "long string" is <br />the casing which extends from the ground surface to the injection zone. Wells in Class III which <br />may require the use of the annulus for injection, need not meet this requirement since, when the <br />annulus is employed for injection, pressure measurements reflect injection pressure. <br />So Development of Procedures and Costs for Proper Abandonment and Plugging of <br />Injection Wells. <br />" §§146.13; 146.23; and 146.33. <br />52 §§146.13(b)(2); and 146.33(b)(2). <br />Page 18 of 20