The Office of Geological Survey (OGS), within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), has responsibility for issuing permits to plug and abandon oil or gas, brine disposal, secondary recovery, and hydrocarbon storage wells under the authority of Part 615, Supervisor of Wells (formerly Public Act 61 of 1939, as amended), of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (NREPA). The purpose of this permit is to ensure proper abandonment of wells to prevent surface and underground waste.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

Application to Plug and Abandon Well

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Part 615, Supervisor of Wells, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451 of 1994, as amended (MCL 324.61501 - 324.61527)

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Rules Administered by MDEQ, OGS

Oil and Gas Operations, (R 324.901 - R 324.904)

D. MICHIGAN BUSINESS ONE STOP:

The Michigan Business One Stop (One Stop) www.michigan.gov/business is a tool designed to allow businesses to interact with the State of Michigan. The tool offers:

• a set of screening questions based upon your business sector to identify permits, licenses and registrations that may be required to do business in Michigan.
• an option to pay fees online. For many programs, you can pay your business license fee in One Stop through use of an online form and shopping cart.
• many online permit applications and renewals. When starting a new business and registering in One Stop, you will need to identify a business sector (also known as a NAICS Code). You can find your code at www.naics.com, select "Code Search."  After entering this code in One Stop and answering some screening questions, links to relevant permit applications will automatically be available in your newly created workspace. One benefit of accessing applications through One Stop is that you will receive status messages throughout the application process.

Using the One Stop provides many benefits to businesses in Michigan. By conducting your business through One Stop you can organize your State of Michigan transactions in one place. If you ever need assistance with One Stop, then you can contact the Customer Assistance Center at 877-766-1779; they are open from 7 am to 6 pm. One Stop is a valuable tool that offers many benefits to business. We hope you give it a try.

E. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

A person shall not begin the plugging of a well until the permittee has received instructions from the Supervisor of Wells or authorized representative of the Supervisor of Wells for the plugging operation.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

• The permittee shall commence plugging operations within 90 days after drilling completion or completion as a dry hole or when the well has not produced or been used for its intended purpose for 12 consecutive months

• An extension of time for commencing plugging operations may be granted by the Supervisor of Wells upon request

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

• Expected date of commencement of plugging operations

• Identify present condition of well

• Proposed method for handling unusual or hazardous conditions

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

• Permittee of well submits notice of intent to plug and abandon a well to the area geologist

• Permittee may propose or request instructions from the area geologist. The area geologist will approve or modify proposed instructions or issue plugging instructions on an Application to Plug and Abandon (Form EQP 7200-6)

• The permittee submits a Record of Well Plugging or Change of Well Status (Form EQP 7200-8) within 60 days of completion of plugging

 5.  Operational Requirements

Applicant must comply with all applicable statutes, rules, permit conditions, and stipulations set forth in the application.

 6.  Fees

None

 7.  Appeal Process

Public hearing before the Supervisor of Wells, then to Circuit Court

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

This is considered a modification of an existing permit (see Section 5.7.2.) The decision maker for this approval is the district supervisor of Geological Programs of OGS. Applications to Plug and Abandon for individual wells may be found on the oil and gas well database at: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/mir/. In addition, individuals may subscribe to the oils and gas permit list by contacting the Permits and Bonding Unit of OGS.

F. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:

Office of Geological Survey, Permits and Bonding Unit, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30256, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7756

• Program Phone: 517-241-1528

• Program Webpage: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_4231---,00.html

• Environmental Assistance Center: 1-800-662-9278, e-mail: deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov

Creation/Revision Date:

October 2010