Sangamon Sun

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Oil and Gas Advisory Board met Aug. 10 to address storage issues.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages, conserves, preserves and protects Illinois’ natural, recreational and cultural resources. Promotes the education, science and public safety of Illinois’ natural resources for present and future generations.

Oil and Gas Advisory Board Meeting

August 10th, 2016

Members in Attendance: Director Mike Mankowski, Bryan Dicus, Stephanie Storckman, and J. Nelson Wood

Guests: Brad Richards, Craig Hedin, Doug Shutt, Ernest Kierbach, Kendra Brockamp, and Jeremy Remick

Mr. Dicus called the meeting to order @ 10:35am.

Minutes from the May 11th meeting were approved. Mr. Persinger motioned to approve. Mr. Wood seconded.

FY 2016 Financial Report was presented. The Department has $500,000 allotted for plugging wells in the PRF.

Tentative Schedule for Future Meetings:

Q4 – November 2nd @ 10:30am IOGA Building

Round Table Discussion

New Electronic Forms

Mr. Kierbach presented new electronic forms for the OG13-23 and OG-22. The new forms were created to expedite turnaround times and help facilitate consistent field inspection. The forms are currently being used in a few select areas.

Procedural Rules/Bylaws for Board

- Article III (a) - “or designee” was added

- Article V - 5.15 was added

- Article XIII was added

- Article XIV - increased time allowed for guests to 10 min

- Article XIV 14.8 - added “redundant”

Mr. Persinger motioned to approved. Mr. Wood seconded. All were in favor.

Spacing Rule Changes

No new updates

Horizontal Well Spacing Changes

No new updates

Coal Bed Methane Well Spacing Update

No new updates

Feasibility of Replacing Cast Iron Bridge Plugs with Composite Bridge Plugs

A pilot program is currently underway to test effectiveness of composite bridge plugs as compared to cast iron bridge plugs. The Director will bring updates to the next meeting.

Gas Storage Issues

The Director is currently researching gas storage issues. The Director informed the Board that rules regarding gas storage will be reviewed for updates.

Plugging Wells

DNR has $500,000 appropriated for plugging. They are requesting that plugging companies interested in bidding, contact the DNR.

Section 240.340(e) Proposed Rule Change

Current language does not comply with the Federal rules. The proposed language changes are to reflect Federal guidelines.

Discussion was had about the possibility of creating a form for step rate tests, in order to create consistency in submitted information.

Will present updates at next meeting.

Section 240.410(a)(1)(A)

Correction was made to be consistent with language in (a)(1)(B) and (a)(1)(C).

Section 240.460 Proposed Rule Change

The new rules were presented. The Director is checking with legal about the proposed rule changes on a potential due process issue. Will revisit the topic at the next meeting.

Section 240.1130 and 1132 Temporary Abandonment Rule Interpretation

The Director informed the Board that revisions are needed. The last revisions did not fix the annual vs. bi-annual issue. Concerning pressure tests, the current language does not address the length of time between test and expiration date; the 5 year limit is not in the rules anymore. Also, The Director noted that bailing a well for TA is not allowed without a CIBP.

New Business

No new business

Public Participation

None

Next meeting is scheduled for November 2nd, 10:30am at the IOGA Building.

Mr. Persinger motioned to adjourn. Mr. Wood seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 1:10pm