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349.095 Procedure and requirements for drilling coalbed methane well.
(1)
(2)
A coalbed methane well penetrating one (1) or more workable coalbeds shall
be drilled in a manner that will exclude, if practicable, all coalbed methane or
coalbed methane pressure from the workable coalbed, except as is found in
the workable coalbed itself. Each string of casing that is run through a workable
coalbed shall be seated at least thirty (30) feet below the workable coalbed in
twenty (20) feet of cement, mud, clay, or other nonporous material that will
make an effective seal. If a second workable coalbed is found less than thirty
(30) feet below the first workable coalbed, the casing shall be seated and
mudded off as above provided at least thirty (30) feet below the second
workable coalbed. If gas is found between the two (2) workable coalbeds, it
shall be treated as prescribed by this chapter. After any such string of casing
has been properly seated, drilling may proceed immediately.
When a coalbed methane well is drilled through the horizon of a workable
coalbed where the coal has been removed, the hole shall be drilled at least
thirty (30) feet below the workable coalbed, and shall be of a size sufficient to
permit the placing of a liner, which shall start not less than twenty (20) feet
beneath the horizon of the workable coalbed and extend not less than twenty
(20) feet above it. The largest sized casing to be used in the well shall be
centrally placed within this liner. The liner may be welded to the casing to be
used, and the space between the liner and the casing shall be filled with
cement as the liner and casing are lowered into the hole. Cement shall be
placed in the bottom of the hole to a depth of twenty (20) feet to form a sealed
seat for both liner and casing. Following the setting of the liner, drilling may
proceed. If it is necessary to drill through the horizon of two (2) or more
workable coalbeds where the coal has been removed, the liner shall be started
not less than twenty (20) feet below the lowest horizon penetrated and shall
extend to a point not less than twenty (20) feet above the highest horizon
penetrated.
Effective:July 13, 2004
History: Created 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 19, effective July 13, 2004.
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