Sonar surveys for storage caverns
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Defines when sonar surveys are required for storage caverns, submission and reporting requirements, and procedural details for entities operating or inspecting storage caverns under KDHE jurisdiction.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Sonar Survey Requirements
Sonar survey requirements and reporting
When and how sonar surveys must be conducted and reported to KDHE:
ALL of the following
Required at least one of
- Before a storage well is considered an active well.
- Every 5 years when web thickness is less than 100 feet but more than 50 feet.
- Every 10 years when web thickness is 100 feet or more.
- Before conversion to permanent monitoring status if a sonar survey has not been completed within the last 5 years.
- Before plugging of the storage cavern.
- When the secretary deems it necessary to determine cavern capacity.
- Any time KDHE determines mechanical integrity is suspect.
- When a 20% or more increase in volume occurs during solution mining of a storage cavern.
ALL of the following
- Submit a plan and schedule for the sonar survey to KDHE at least 30 days before the sonar survey begins for KDHE review and consideration of approval.
- Schedule must be mutually agreed so KDHE may have the opportunity to witness the sonar survey.
ALL of the following
- Provide the name of the sonar company conducting the survey.
- Provide a description of the sonar tool including capabilities and limitations; omission allowed only if the tool description was previously filed with KDHE. Submit tool description when a new sonar company, sonar tool, or sonar process will be used.
- List the well identification number and location of the well.
- Specify whether the sonar will be conducted through-tubing; note that it is recommended, when feasible, to remove tubing and fill the cavern brine for best results.
- Only KDHE-approved sonar tools may be used for through-tubing sonars.
- Provide a description of the well configuration.
- Describe the action to be taken if the sonar tool will not pass through the well and/or cavern.
- Describe the expected contents of the cavern at the time of the survey and, if a product/brine interface is anticipated, provide the estimated interface depth.
ALL of the following
- Submit the sonar survey interpretation and report to KDHE within 90 days after survey completion.
- Survey results shall be evaluated by a person with technical expertise in sonar interpretation.
- Interpretation summary must include: a discussion of cavern dimensions and configuration; relationship to adjacent caverns; description and explanation of any anomalies; description of areas hidden by fallen shale layers; description of any operational changes necessary to obtain desirable cavern dimensions and configuration; and a diagram of the maximum cavern radii.
- Include maximum cavern radii from previous sonar surveys on the diagram to illustrate development over time, and submit a cross-section of previous survey results (if any) and an updated sonar plot map.
- The sonar plot map shall show maximum radii for all storage cavern locations in relation to surface structures, adjacent storage caverns, disposal wells, and public transportation arteries.
Volume Change Trigger
Submissions, Notifications, and KDHE Witnessing
Submit survey plan and schedule ≥30 days before start; allow KDHE to witness
Submit a plan and schedule for the sonar survey to KDHE at least 30 days before the sonar survey begins for KDHE review and consideration of approval; schedule must be mutually agreed so KDHE may have the opportunity to witness the sonar survey.
Pre-survey submissions and notifications: tool, company, well, configuration, contingency, and contents
Provide the sonar company name; a description of the sonar tool including capabilities and limitations (unless previously filed); the well identification number and location; whether the sonar will be conducted through-tubing; the well configuration; the action to be taken if the tool will not pass; and the expected cavern contents including estimated product/brine interface depth if anticipated.
- If a new sonar company, tool, or process will be used, the tool description must be submitted.
- Only KDHE‑approved sonar tools may be used for through‑tubing sonars; removal of tubing and filling cavern brine is recommended when feasible for best results.
- Submit sonar survey interpretation and report within 90 days after completion (interpretation must be by a person with technical expertise).
Key Terms
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