Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002)RegulationsAmendment Regulations to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Regulations, 2020Chapter 8 : Well Design and Construction103. Casing string tests |
| (1) | After the setting and cementing of a casing string, except the conductor casing, and prior to further drilling, the casing string must be tested with fresh water, mud, or brine to at least the maximum anticipated treatment pressure but no less than 0.22 psi per foot (1.512 kPa per 0.3048 meter) of casing string length or 1,500 psi (10 342.12 kPa), whichever is greater, for at least 30 minutes with less than a 5% pressure loss. |
| (2) | The pressure test must not exceed 70% of the minimum internal yield and if the pressure declines more than 5 %, or if there are other indications of a leak, corrective action must be taken before conducting further drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations. |
| (3) | A holder must notify the designated agency at least 2 days prior to conducting a pressure test to enable an authorised person to be present when the test is done. |
| (4) | A record of the pressure test must be submitted to the designated agency prior to conducting hydraulic fracturing operations. |
| (5) | The actual pressure must not exceed the test pressure at any time during hydraulic fracturing operations. |
| (6) | A hydraulic fracturing string used in the operations must be either strung into a production liner or run with a packer set at least 30 meters below the deepest cement top and must be tested to not less than the maximum anticipated treating pressure minus the annulus pressure applied between the fracturing string and the production or immediate casing. |
| (7) | The pressure test must be considered successful if the pressure applied has been held for at least 30 minutes with no more than 5% pressure loss. |
| (8) | The annulus between the hydraulic fracturing string and casing must be pressurised to at least 250 psi (1723.69 kPa) and monitored. |
[Regulation 103 inserted by section 2 of Notice No. R. 466 dated 3 June 2015]