Laserfiche WebLink
2.2.2 Potential Well Field Pollutants <br />The following is a discussion of the potential pollutants associated with different aspects of the <br />NSI well field. <br />2.2.2.1 Wells/Well Pads <br />NSI's well field has wells and well pads in various stages of activity, including those that are <br />actively being drilled, those which are completed and are actively being used as injection, <br />recovery, and subsidence or groundwater monitoring, and those which have been plugged and <br />abandoned (Figure 1). Active injection and recovery wells are linked to the plant via a carbon <br />steel pipeline connected to the wellhead. There is a potential for barren and pregnant liquor <br />leaks at these wellheads from valve and /or pipe failure. Subsidence and groundwater monitoring <br />wells offer no appreciable potential for contamination. Active well pads have the potential to <br />contribute fine sediment pollution in runoff. Wells that have been abandoned have been filled to <br />the surface with cement and have been labeled as plugged and abandoned on the well head. <br />Abandoned well pads have been reclaimed by grading and reseeding and undergo annual <br />monitoring to ensure that the reseeding efforts have proven successful. Therefore, there are no <br />potential pollutants to stormwater discharge associated with the plugged and abandoned wells or <br />reclaimed well pads. <br />Due to the influx of machinery and contractor personnel involved with the construction of a new <br />well pad and the drilling of a new well, potential pollutants to stormwater discharge are also <br />increased during this stage of well and pad development. These pollutants include fuel leaks or <br />spills from the heavy equipment and drilling rig, spent drilling mud, groundwater elevated in <br />TDS, and human sewage from porta-johns. <br />Best management practices employed during the drilling stage of well and pad development <br />include the following. Prior to use on NSI Lease land, any heavy equipment or drilling rigs are <br />inspected for fluid leaks or cracks in fluid containments. Should any leaks or cracks be detected, <br />these are to be corrected prior to use on NSI property. During pad construction and drilling <br />activities, drip trays and plastic sheeting will be placed under all equipment, and equipment is to <br />be inspected daily for leaks. Should leaks be detected while on NSI property, drip pans and <br />absorbents are to be used to collect additional leaked fluids and the machinery is to cease all <br />work until the leak has been fixed. The ground affected by a leak or spill will be manually <br />cleaned up by absorption of fluids and removal of contaminated soil using absorbent material <br />and mechanical removal, and disposed of in an appropriate container. Absorbents will be used, <br />as necessary, to assist in the cleanup of a leak or spill. All constructed pads will have silt fences <br />installed around the perimeter of the pad to contain all fluids and eroded particulates during the <br />duration that the pad is active. Drilling mud will be kept in on -site dug mud pits, and will be <br />removed and disposed of by way of a vacuum truck when the pit becomes full and at the <br />cessation of drilling activities. Should salt or bicarbonate - saturated drilling mud be used ( >5,000 <br />Daub & Associates, Inc. NSI 2011 SWMP <br />Page 8 <br />