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D=slgn Envelope ID:6F7B4A9g.B4iF-4FB2.BB7&6EC278F1g6D9 <br /> CaIGEM recommends that any well forwhich access is impeded or built over,against CaIGEM's <br /> advice, should be evaluated by a qualified petroleum professional for compliance with the <br /> statutory objectives of isolating all hydrocarbon-bearing strata; protecting underground and <br /> surface wafers;prevention of subsequent damage to life,health,property,and other resources; <br /> and prevention of loss of oil,gas, or reservoir energy.CaIGEM recommends that wells that do <br /> not meet these standards are abandoned or re-abandoned prior to construction. The well <br /> information can be accessed through CaIGEM's Well Finder database mentioned above.PRC <br /> section 3208, subdivision (a), provides the primary statutory authority for CaIGEM to oversee <br /> adequate abandonment of wells. Additionally, CaIGEM has developed the regulatory <br /> guidance for operators to be followed during well abandonment, which are listed within <br /> California Code of Regulation, title 14 (CCR) section 1723 and associated sub-sections (for <br /> onshore wells),and section 1745 and associated sub-sections(for offshore wells). <br /> There is no guarantee that a well abandoned in compliance with current Division requirements <br /> as prescribed by law will not start leaking in the future. Due to the inability to predict ail <br /> subsurface conditions or changes,it always remains a possibility that any well may start to leak <br /> oil,gas,and/or water after abandonment,no matter how thoroughly the well was plugged and <br /> abandoned. CaIGEM acknowledges wells plugged and abandoned 10 the most current <br /> Division requirements as prescribed by law have a lower probability of leaking in the future, <br /> however there is no guarantee that such abandoned wells will not leak. <br /> CaIGEM advises that all wells identified on the development parcel prior to, or during, <br /> development activities be tested for liquid and gas leakage.Surveyed locations in Latitude and <br /> Longitude, NAD 83 decimal format, and leak testing results should be provided to CaIGEM. <br /> CaIGEM expects any wells found leaking to be reported 10 CaIGEM immediately. <br /> PRC section 3208.1 gives CoIGEM the authority to order or permit the re-abandonment of any <br /> well where it has reason to question the integrity of the previous abandonment. Responsibility <br /> for re-abondonment costs may be affected by the choices made by the local permitting <br /> agency, property owner,and/or developer in considering the general advice set forth in this <br /> letter.The PRC continues to define the person or entity responsible for re-abandonment as: <br /> 1. The property owner - If the well was plugged and abandoned in conformance with <br /> Division requirements of the time of abandonment,and in its current condition does not pose <br /> an immediate danger to life, health, and property, but requires additional work solely <br /> because the owner of the property on which the well is located proposes construction on <br /> the property that would prevent or Impede access to the well for purposes of remedying a <br /> currently perceived future problem, then the owner of the property on which the well is <br /> located shall obtain all rights necessary to re-abandon the well and be responsible for the <br /> re-abandonment. <br /> 2. The person or entity causing construction over or near the well-If the well was plugged <br /> and abandoned in conformance with Division requirements at the time of plugging and <br /> abandonment, and the property owner, developer, or local agency permitting the <br /> construction failed either to obtain an opinion from the supervisor or district deputy as to <br /> whether the previously abandoned well Is required to be re-abandoned, or 10 follow the <br /> advice of the supervisor or district deputy not to undertake construction that impedes <br /> access,then the person or entity causing the construction over or near the well shall obtain <br /> all rights necessary to re-abandon the well and be responsible for the re-abandonment. <br /> 3. The party or parties responsible for disturbing the integrity of the abandonment -If the <br /> well was plugged and abandoned in conformance with Division requirements at the time of <br /> Page 2 <br />