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D6285-99 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📋 Scope and Overview
The D6285‑99 standard (reapproved 2016) provides a structured approach for selecting and implementing programs to locate abandoned wells. This guide is intended for wells installed for oil and gas exploration, groundwater supply, monitoring, remediation, or injection that have subsequently been abandoned. It emphasizes that it is not a step‑by‑step procedure but a starting point for developing a search program tailored to specific needs.
According to Section 1.1, this guide outlines methods that have been successfully used at many sites. The chosen method should be appropriate for the area size and well type, but some wells may be undetectable due to construction materials. Professional judgment is essential in applying this guide.
🌍 Significance and Applications
Millions of oil and gas wells, water supply wells, and wells installed for environmental monitoring and remediation purposes have been abandoned. As stated in Section 4.1, this guide addresses the need to locate these wells based on safety and environmental protection. It is part of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and Vadose Zone Investigations.
The guide is a valuable resource for environmental professionals, regulators, and landowners involved in site assessments and remediation projects. It promotes the use of multiple methods for confirmation and integrates with other ASTM standards.
🔍 Methodologies and Considerations
The guide describes several approaches for locating abandoned wells, including historical research, field surveys, and geophysical methods. Typically, several methods are used to obtain acceptable confirmation. The following table summarizes common well types and detection approaches:
| 🟦 Well Type | 📏 Typical Use | 🔍 Detection Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & Gas | Exploration/Production | Historical records and geophysics |
| Groundwater | Supply/Monitoring | Field surveys and documentation |
| Environmental | Remediation/Injection | Site records and remote sensing |
The guide references several ASTM standards, as shown in the table below:
| 📜 Standard | 🎯 Description |
|---|---|
| D653 | Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids |
| D5092 | Practice for Design and Installation of Groundwater Monitoring Wells |
| D5299 | Guide for Decommissioning of Groundwater Wells, Vadose Zone Monitoring Devices, Boreholes, and Other Devices for Environmental Activities |
⚠️ This guide does not purport to address all aspects of exploration and site safety. Users must establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations before use.
💡 This guide offers an organized collection of information and options but does not recommend a specific course of action. Use it in conjunction with professional judgment and consider the unique aspects of each project.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What types of wells are covered by this guide?
This guide covers wells used for oil and gas exploration, groundwater supply, monitoring, remediation, and injection that have been abandoned.
💡 Is this guide a step-by-step procedure?
No, it is not a step-by-step procedure. As per Section 1.1, it provides an approach and starting points for locating abandoned wells, not a detailed protocol.
⚡ Can all abandoned wells be detected using the described methods?
No, some well types and construction materials may preclude detection by any of the methods described, as noted in Section 1.2.
📌 What standards are referenced in this guide?
The guide references D653 for terminology, D5092 for monitoring well design, and D5299 for decommissioning practices.