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Bulletin 2008-39

October 1, 2008

Changes to the Digital Data Submission System

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has updated the Digital Data Submission (DDS) system. The changes are to ensure that required information is submitted.

Well Licence Abandonment
The submission process for well licence abandonment information has been modified. A well licence abandonment submission cannot be made if there is a casing failure or a surface casing/vent flow report that is open and/or outstanding for the well licence. As of October 25, 2008, the surface casing vent flow/gas migration reports and casing failure reports must have a resolution entered and the reports must be closed within the DDS system (ERCB/Incidents), as required in Directive 020: Well Abandonment Guide and Interim Directive (ID) 2003-01: 1) Isolation Packer Testing, Reporting, and Repair Requirements; 2) Surface Casing Vent Flow/Gas Migration Testing, Reporting, and Repair Requirements; 3) Casing Failure Reporting and Repair Requirements.

Nonroutine Abandonment Request
A nonroutine abandonment request must be submitted through the DDS system, in accordance with Directive 020. In addition, an e-mail must be sent to ERCB Well Operations staff that includes the application, all supporting documentation, and the wellbore schematic. Approvals for the request will not be given without a DDS submission.

Minor Changes to DDS Screens
The ERCB has also updated the screens for the Well Licence Abandonment and the Nonroutine Abandonment Request submissions, effective October 25, 2008. The general information required will remain the same.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the changes, please contact Well Operations by e-mail at ERCB.WellOperations@ercb.ca or by telephone at 403-297-5290.

<original signed by>

D. K. Boyler, P.Eng.
Executive Manager
Compliance, Environment, and Operations Branch