REVISED NOTICE RESCHEDULING PUBLIC HEARING AND EXTENDING COMMENT PERIOD OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON LOCATION CLEARANCE, WORKOVER OPERATIONS, INJECTION WELL TESTING, PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EMERGENCY WELL CONTROL CONTINGENCY PLANS 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 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with site clearance, completion dates for sundry work, test requirements for injection wells, confidentiality of certain applications, and requirements for an emergency well control contingency plan. Specifically, the AOGCC proposes to amend:
20 AAC 25.170, titled “Onshore location clearance”, to add language stating that site clearance for an individual well is not required when there is active production and/or injection at a location. This revision is proposed based on public comments received in 2021 regarding the 20 AAC 25.110 “Suspended wells” regulation amendment.
20 AAC 25.172, titled “Offshore location clearance”, to add language stating that site clearance is not required for an individual well when there is active production and/or injection at a location. This revision is proposed based on public comments received in 2021 regarding the 20 AAC 25.110 “Suspended wells” regulation amendment.
20 AAC 25.280, titled “Workover operations”, to specify a completion date for work performed under an approved sundry. This revision is proposed to clarify that approved well work is to be completed expeditiously.
20 AAC 25.412, titled “Casing, cementing, and tubing of injection wells for enhanced recovery, disposal, and storage”, to clarify when tests must be performed, to revise the required test pressure, to establish test acceptance criteria, and to specify test equipment requirements. AOGCC also proposes to add a new subsection, at (f), to address standards for variances and waivers.
20 AAC 25.537, titled “Public and confidential information”, to add language stating that information submitted as part of an application for an order or hearing is not confidential unless entitled under some other provision of law.
The AOGCC also proposes to add a new section to 20 AAC 25:
20 AAC 25.529, titled “Emergency well control contingency plan”, is proposed as a new section that would transfer the requirement for operators to submit an emergency well control contingency plan to the AOGCC from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). The new regulation would establish general requirements for the plan and is accompanied by a draft Guidance Bulletin.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the AOGCC at 333 West Seventh Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501. Comments may also be submitted by electronic email at aogcc.customer.svc@alaska.gov, by fax at (907) 276-7542, or through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the "comment" link. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 13, 2022.
To allow for a longer comment period the AOGCC has rescheduled the public hearing for these regulation changes from Thursday, August 4, 2022 to October 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The hearing, which may be changed to virtual if necessary, will be held in the AOGCC hearing room located at 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501. The audio call in information is (907) 202 7104 Conference ID: 557 730 662#. Anyone who wishes to participate remotely using Microsoft Teams should contact Samantha Carlisle at least two business days before the scheduled public hearing to request an invitation for the Microsoft Teams meeting.
Individuals or groups of people with disabilities who require special accommodations to provide written comments or participate in the hearing should contact Samantha Carlisle at (907) 793-1223 or samantha.carlisle@alaska.gov, no later than September 29, 2022 to ensure any necessary accommodation can be provided.
For a copy of the proposed regulation changes, contact Samantha Carlisle at the AOGCC at samantha.carlisle@alaska.gov or calling (907) 793-1223, or go to https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/aogcc/Home.aspx
After the public comment period ends, the AOGCC may adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.
Statutory authority: AS 31.05.030
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 31.05.030, AS 31.05.035, AS 31.05.095
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
The AOGCC keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the AOGCC notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the AOGCC Special Assistant at samantha.carlisle@alaska.gov, and give your name and your e-mail address to receive notices.
Date: July 19, 2022
Jeremy M. Price
Chair, Commissioner