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Directive 008: Surface Casing Depth Requirements

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Release Date: July 07, 2020

Effective Date: July 7, 2020
Replaces the previous edition released on January 31, 2018.
Released with Bulletin 2020-07.

 

Purpose of this Directive

This directive sets out requirements for designing appropriate depths of surface casing to assist with well control and groundwater protection.

Surface casing is an integral part of the well control system. It provides sufficient pressure integrity to facilitate the drilling of a well to total depth or to an intermediate casing point, as well as primary support for the wellhead and the landing loads of subsequent casing and tubing strings. It may also be used to cover zones of caving, sloughing, and lost circulation, as well as other weak zones.

Surface casing is a permanent structure of the wellbore that effectively protects in-use aquifers that supply domestic water wells.