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• All valves, pipes, monitoring equipment, and instrumentation will be checked and <br /> if possible, calibrated for accuracy on a routine basis. <br /> • Use sensitive monitoring instrumentation. <br /> • Drill, complete and operate all production wells utilizing best management <br /> practices. <br /> • Consultation with BLM, EPA, and DMG to meet agency regulations for <br /> production well completion techniques, monitoring requirements and safe <br /> operating conditions. <br /> Well failure will be established by closely monitoring the following: injection and <br /> extraction pressures, including pressure differentials; volumetric flow rates of <br /> injection and extraction fluids; cavity temperature versus injection fluid temperatures; <br /> and production fluid concentrations. The solution mining operating conditions require <br /> that the cavities are operated under pressure, as a result, cavity or casing problems <br /> will be detected immediately and acted upon accordingly. In addition, the casing will <br /> be closely monitored to detect possible casing collapse. <br /> The production casing annulus of the well bore will contain a gas that is used as a <br /> gas pad to control the solution cavity development. The pressure, amount and flow <br /> rate of this gas will be monitored continuously. Any failure of the well casing will be <br /> detected by a significant and rapid increase in flow and pressure drop in the pad gas. <br /> A borehole video camera could be used to identify the location and extent of the <br /> problem. <br /> U-4 SOLUTION CAVITY INTEGRITY/GROWTH <br /> The solution cavities will be formed in the dry Saline Zone, which has very low permeability <br /> and porosity. The fluids used in the solution mining process will exert a boundary pressure <br /> on the rock, which substantially enhances stability. The solution mining process introduces <br /> little disturbance to the rock forming intercavity pillars that will allow them to retain much of <br /> their original strength. The solution mined cavities will be supported by the insoluble <br /> residual rock mass. Approximately 80 percent of the original rock mass will be retained in <br /> the solution mined cavity and these undissolved materials will essentially fill the cavity <br /> resisting both wall and roof collapse. The rock quality in the proposed mining horizon is very <br /> high and existing fractures are few, those that do exist are filled with secondary precipitated <br /> G:\LMM78545.002\Reclamation%Reciamexh.DOC U-6 <br />