NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 20, Chapter 25 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Oil and Gas regulations:
Specifically, AOGCC is making the modifications described below to the following regulations:
- 20 AAC 25.022: adding a 30 day notice requirement for any change in the contact information for the information contained in the Notice of Ownership;
- 20 AAC 25.030: clarifying the required actions when there exist indications of improper or inadequate cementing; clarifying the casing and cementing information to be provided for hydraulic fracturing operations; clarifying the requirements for casing pressure tests when blowout prevention equipment is to be used; allowing for approval of extensions of deadlines, variances and waivers;
- 20 AAC 25.055: to require spacing exceptions based on proximity to property lines where the owner and the landowner are not the same on both sides of the line and clarifying the notification requirements for an application for a spacing exception;
- 20 AAC 25.065(c)(1): clarifying the requirements for hydrogen sulfide detection systems;
- 20 AAC 25.071: clarifying the requirement for providing logging and geologic data, including the forms in which such information may be provided;
- 20 AAC 25.110(a): adding a requirement that an operator demonstrate it has valid leases for all parts of any well for which suspended status is sought;
- 20 AAC 25.110(h): adding a requirement that an application to renew an existing “suspended” status for a well include all leases the wellbore traverses and the expiration date for each;
- 20 AAC 265(d)(4): adding an exemption from the well safety valve system requirements for onshore wells with a velocity string;
- 20 AAC 25.270: adding a requirement that reservoir sampling and analyses be conducted in accordance with good laboratory analysis practices and setting an annual due date for an operator’s Annual Reservoir Properties Report;
- 20 AAC 25.280: providing for expiration of sundry approvals of workovers if the workover operations are not commenced within 12 months of the approval;
- 20 AAC 25.537(a)(3): clarifying that all reports and information required to be filed for service and production wells are public information;
- 20 AAC 25.537(d): clarifying that all reports and information required to be filed for exploratory and stratigraphic test wells are entitled to confidentiality for approximately two years after the filing period;
- 20 AAC 25.556: providing for automatic expiration of orders absent reauthorization;
- 20 AAC 25.990: adding a definition of the phrase “velocity survey.”
The proposed changes are in response to AOGCC’s periodic regulation reviews. In general, the proposed modifications aim to update and clarify the requirements, improve understanding, and streamline the implementation of the regulations.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed change, by submitting written comments to Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Additionally, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 276-7542 and by electronic mail at jody.colombie@alaska.gov. The comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 27, 2016.
Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on September 27, 2016, at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. The hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m. and might be extended to accommodate those present before 9:30 a.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Jody J. Colombie, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission by email at jody.colombie@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and agency website.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Jody Colombie at (907) 793-1221 no later than September 20, 2016 to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.
For a copy of the proposed regulation changes, contact Jody Colombie at (907) 793-1221 or go to www.aogcc.alaska.gov.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System or though the electronic link to the complete text. A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference may be viewed at the agency's office at 333 West Seventh Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501.
After the public comment period ends, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will either adopt these or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action on them. The language of any final regulation may be different from the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory Authority: AS 31.05.030 and AS 31.05.090
Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 31.05.090
Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: ________________ _________________________________
Cathy P. Foerster, Chair, Commissioner
ADDITIONAL REGULATION NOTICE INFORMATION
(AS 44.62.190(g))
1. Adopting agency: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
2. General subject of regulation: Batch regulation updates
3. Citation of regulation (may be grouped): 20 AAC 25.022 - 990
4. Department of Law file number, if any:
5. Reason for the proposed action:
( ) Compliance with federal law
( ) Compliance with new or changed state statute
( ) Compliance with court order
( ) Development of program standards
( X ) Other (identify): The proposed changes are in response to AOGCC’s periodic
regulation reviews. In general, the proposed modifications aim to update and
clarify the requirements, improve understanding, and streamline the implementation
of the regulations.
6. Appropriation/Allocation: Zero
7. Cost of implementation to the state agency and available funding (in thousands of dollars):
Initial Year Subsequent
FY 2017 Years
Operating Cost $ 0 $ 0
Capital Cost $ 0 $ 0
1002 Federal receipts $ 0 $ 0
1003 General fund match $ 0 $ 0
1004 General fund $ 0 $ 0
1005 General fund/
program $ 0 $ 0
Other (identify) $ 0 $ 0
8. The name of the contact person for the regulation:
Name: Jody J. Colombie
Title: Special Assistant to the Commission
Address: 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
Telephone: (907) 793-1221
E-mail address: jody.colombie@alaska.gov
9. The origin of the proposed action:
X Staff of state agency
_____ Federal government
_____ General public
_____ Petition for regulation change
_____ Other (identify)
10. Date: July 20, 2016_____ Prepared by:
Name: Jody J. Colombie
Title: Special Assistant, Telephone: (907) 793-1221_______