82-11-184. (Effective on occurrence of contingency) Conversion of enhanced recovery wells. (1) A well regulated under this chapter in which carbon dioxide is injected for the purpose of enhancing the recovery of oil and gas may be converted to a carbon dioxide injection well.

Terms Used In Montana Code 82-11-184

  • Board: means the board of oil and gas conservation provided for in 2-15-3303. See Montana Code 82-11-101
  • Enhanced recovery: means the increased recovery from a pool achieved by artificial means or by the application of energy extrinsic to the pool; such artificial means or application includes pressuring, cycling, pressure maintenance, or injection into the pool of any substance or form of energy as is contemplated in secondary recovery and tertiary programs but does not include the injection in a well of a substance or form of energy for the sole purpose of aiding in the lifting of fluids in the well or stimulating of the reservoir at or near the well by mechanical, chemical, thermal, or explosive means. See Montana Code 82-11-101
  • Gas: means all natural gases and all other fluid hydrocarbons, including methane gas or any other natural gas found in any coal formation, as produced at the wellhead and not defined as oil in subsection (3). See Montana Code 82-1-111
  • Oil: means crude petroleum oil and other hydrocarbons, regardless of gravity, that are produced at the wellhead in liquid form by ordinary production methods and that are not the result of condensation of gas before or after it leaves the reservoir. See Montana Code 82-1-111
  • Owner: means the person who has the right to drill into and produce from a pool and to appropriate the oil or gas the person produces from a pool either for the person or others or for the person and others, and the term includes all persons holding that authority by or through the person with the right to drill. See Montana Code 82-11-101

(2)(a) The board shall develop rules with regard to the conversion of wells referred to in subsection (1) to carbon dioxide injection wells. The rules must be in accordance with all application, permitting, and regulatory requirements for carbon dioxide injection wells pursuant to this part.

(b)The rules must include provisions for a fee to be paid by the owner of a converted well in an amount equivalent to the fee required to be paid by a geologic storage operator pursuant to 82-11-181(1).

(3)Wells converted to carbon dioxide injection wells pursuant to this section are subject to carbon dioxide injection well and geologic storage reservoir regulations pursuant to this chapter, including requirements for bonding or other surety, the issuance of a certificate of completion, and acceptance or transfer of liability.