The AER released the new Directive 087: Well Integrity Management on March 4, 2021. It contains testing, reporting, and repair requirements for isolation packers, surface casing vent flows (SCVFs), gas migration, and casing failures.
The new directive replaces 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 Bulletin 2009-07 and Bulletin 2011-35.
Important changes introduced by this new directive include the following:
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Isolation packers in class II injection and disposal wells can be tested triennially with additional mitigations in place, instead of annually.
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Nonserious SCVFs can be tested in years one, two, and six with additional mitigations in place, instead of every year for five years.
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Nonroutine repairs need approval after three failed attempts with additional mitigations in place, instead of after one failed attempt.
Additional information can be found here.
