RADIOACTIVE LOGGING SOURCES
§ 78.111. Abandonment.
(a) The owner or operator may not abandon a radioactive source licensed by the Commonwealth for logging purposes without consent of the Department. Approval of a plan of abandonment may be arranged with the Department by telephone and is to be followed by a written report to the Department within 30 days after abandonment of the radioactive source. The plan shall be approved by the Department.
(b) The operator shall notify the Department of his intention to leave a radioactive source in a well.
(c) The operator shall mechanically equip a well in which a radioactive source is abandoned to prevent the accidental or intentional mechanical disintegration of the radioactive source.
(1) The operator shall cover the radioactive source being abandoned in the bottom of a well with a substantial standard color-dyed cement plug on top of which a mechanical stop or deflector shall be set. The dye shall contrast with the color of the formation to alert a re-entry operator prior to encountering the source.
(2) In a well where a logging source has been cemented in place behind a casing string and above total depth, upon plugging the well, a color-dyed cement plug shall be placed opposite the abandoned source inside the well bore and a mechanical stop or deflector shall be placed on top of the plug.
(3) If, after expending a reasonable effort, the operator cannot comply with paragraph (1) or (2) because of hole conditions, the operator shall request Department approval to cease efforts to comply with paragraph (1) or (2) and shall obtain approval for an alternate method for abandoning the source and plugging the well.
(d) Upon plugging a well in which a radioactive source is left in the hole, the operator shall place a permanent plaque by welding or bolting or cementing it to the top of the bore hole in a manner approved by the Department that re-entry cannot be accomplished without disturbing the plaque. The plaque shall serve as a visual warning to a person re-entering the hole that a radioactive source has been abandoned in-place in the well. The plaque shall depict the trefoil radiation symbol with the words ‘‘Caution, Radioactive Material’’ under § 219.41 (relating to radiation symbol) and shall be constructed of a long-lasting material such as monel, stainless steel, bronze or brass. The marker shall bear the following information:
(1) Farm name.
(2) Permit number.
(3) Name and address of operator.
(4) The type and strength of radioactive material abandoned in the well.
(5) The total well depth.
(6) Depth at which the source was abandoned.
(7) A warning not to drill below the plug-back depth or to enlarge the casing.
(e) Prior to workover or re-entry activity, if a radioactive source is present, the operator shall have the plan of operation approved by the Department before the workover or re-entry is permitted.
(f) This section does not relieve the licensee, owner or operator from the obligation to comply with Federal regulations and this title, including Chapters 225 and 226 (relating to radiation safety requirements for industrial radiographic operations; and licenses and radiation safety requirements for well logging).
Source The provisions of this § 78.111 adopted July 28, 1989, effective July 29, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 3229.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 78.91 (relating to general provisions); and 25 Pa. Code § 226.3a (relating to abandonment of a sealed source).
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