TITLE:
Analyses of Physical Data to Evaluate the Potential to Identify Class I Injection Well Fluid Migration Risk
AUTHORS:
Frederick Bloetscher
KEYWORDS:
Class I Injection UIC, Wastewater Disposal, Well, Risk, Migration, Florida
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.5 No.6,
May
27,
2014
ABSTRACT: Injection
wells have been used for disposal of fluids for nearly 100 years. Design of
injection well systems has advanced over the years, but environmental concerns
due to the potential for migration of injected fluids remain. Fluids range from
hazardous materials, to mining waste to treated wastewater. This paper presents
an evaluation of wells injecting treated wastewater to assess which create the
greatest risk to migration potential. Prior studies have looked at the risks of
Class I injection wells for wastewater disposal, but limited data were
available at that time. This research involved collecting data and evaluating
the differences as a means to predict the potential for fluid migration in the
wells. There were four issues that might portend migration: well depth-shallower
wells tended to have more migration; the tightness of the confining unit
immediately above the injection zone; well age; and the use of tubing and
packers. Florida is moving away from tubing and packer wells which may be an indicative
of this issue. The results provide a pathway to investigate injection wells in
other states.