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Invitation for Feedback on Draft Directive on Well Integrity Management, AER Bulletin 2020-16

Link to Bulletin Summarized

Bulletin – Invitation for Feedback – Well Integrity Management


On July 16, 2020, the AER announced it is seeking feedback on a new draft directive, Directive XXX: Well Integrity Management. The new draft directive contains testing, reporting, and repair requirements for isolation packers, surface casing vent flows, gas migration, and casing failures. It will rescind and replace Interim Directive ID 2003-01: 1) Isolation Packer Testing, Reporting, and Repair Requirements; 2) Surface Casing Venting Flow/Gas Migration Testing, Reporting, and Repair Requirements; 3) Casing Failure Reporting and Repair Requirements and incorporates guidance previously given in AER Bulletin 2009-07 and AER Bulletin 2011-35.

The new draft directive also includes the following changes to existing requirements:

  • isolation packers in Class II injection and disposal wells would be tested triennially instead of annually;

  • nonserious surface casing vent flows would be tested in years one, two, and six instead of every year for five years; and

  • routine repairs would only need AER approval after three failed attempts instead of one.

The AER indicated that feedback would be accepted through August 17, 2020.

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