Section R12-1-1751. Notification of Incidents and Lost Sources; Aban- donment Procedures for Irretrievable Sources

A.      If, after making a reasonable effort to recover a sealed source or device that contains radioactive material using methods that are not likely to result in damage or rupture and contamina- tion, a licensee determines that the source or device is lodged in a well, the licensee shall:

1.        Immediately notify the Agency by telephone of the cir- cumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and, if there is no evidence of contamination, obtain the following from the Agency:

a.         A determination that the source is irretrievable and abandonment is necessary because further efforts to recover the source are likely to result in an immedi- ate threat to public health and safety, and

b.        An approval to implement abandonment procedures;

2.        Advise the well owner or operator, as applicable, of the abandonment procedures implemented under R12-1- 1702(A) and (C); and

3.        Either ensure that abandonment procedures are imple- mented within 30 days after the Agency classifies the source as irretrievable or request an extension of time if unable to complete abandonment procedures.

B.       A licensee shall immediately notify the Agency by telephone and subsequently, within 30 days, by confirmatory letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured or the well has otherwise been contami- nated. The letter shall describe the well location, the magni- tude and extent of radioactive contamination, the consequences of the rupture, and the efforts planned or initi- ated to mitigate the consequences.

C.      A licensee shall notify the Agency of the theft or loss of any radioactive material, radiation overexposure, excessive levels and concentrations of radiation, and incidents as required by R12-1-443, R12-1-444, and R12-1-445.

D.      A licensee shall, within 30 days after a sealed source has been classified as irretrievable, report in writing to the Agency. The licensee shall send a copy of the report to each state or federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drill- ing operation. The report shall contain the following informa- tion:

1.        Date of occurrence;

2.        A description of the irretrievable well logging source involved, including the name of the radionuclide and its quantity, and the chemical and physical form of the radio- nuclide;

3.        Surface location and identification of the well;

4.        Results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;

5.        A brief description of the attempted recovery effort;

6.        Depth of the source;

7.        Depth of the top of the cement plug;

8.        Depth of the well;

9.        The reasons why further efforts to recover the source are likely to result in an immediate threat to public health and safety, necessitating abandonment;

10.     Information contained on the permanent identification plaque; and

11.     State and federal agencies receiving a copy of the report.

Historical Note

Adopted effective April 2, 1990 (Supp. 90-2). Amended

effective June 13, 1997 (Supp. 97-2). Amended by final

rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 4302, effective November 14, 2003 (Supp. 03-3). Section repealed; new Section made by final rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 2122, effective July 3, 2004 (Supp. 04-2).