1. Groundwater Protection Determinations
Tips for Successful Groundwater Protection Determination Applications
By Sean Avitt P.G.
Research Strategies for GW-1 with W-14 Example
By Mark Vining P.G., Ph.D.
August 2017

2. 1. Groundwater Protection Determinations
Tips for Successful Groundwater Protection Determination Applications
Sean Avitt, PG

3. Table Of Contents - 1 Who is the GAU and what do we do
RRC Online System
Menu and User Guide
Google Chrome
The Application
Attachments
Digital Well Log Submission
Surveys
More Tips

4. Who We Are An RRC Analytical Services Group
Analytical Geologists and Geophysicists
Boots on the Ground Upstream Oil Field and Mining Experience
Software Engineering and Data Acquisition Expertise
Analysis of Geology, Well Logs, Seismic Data, Geochemistry, Structure, Stratigraphy, Mineralogy

5. What We Do Groundwater Determinations:
Identify water that needs to be protected during casing, plugging, etc.
Advise RRC Technical Permitting and District Offices
Geologic Confinement and Separation Determinations
Injection into strata productive of Oil and Gas (H-1)
Injection into strata non-productive of Oil and Gas (W-14)
Special Projects:
Advise internal and external customers on:
Groundwater, Confinement, Mapping, Modeling, Seismic Interpretation

6. RRC Home Page – rrc.texas.gov

7. RRC Online System

8. Everything you need to know
New Application
Application Status
“User Guide” is your friend!
Searchable with linked Table of Contents
Still having trouble?
Call us

9. Google Chrome Use an Up-to-date Google Chrome Browser Double Payment!
From start to finish in Chrome:
If you have applications started back at the office in a different browser, you must start an entirely new application in Chrome and delete the old one.

10. The Application – Filing Info
Filing Information
Reason for Filing
For H-1s if no API number use “County Code” + “00000”
Areal Extent
Consistent hydrogeology & topography
Tell us what you’re trying to get in “Remarks”

11. The Application – Location Info

12. County Checks County and Lat / Long is checked by the App
API and County is not checked
This is due to situation where SHL and BHL are on different sides of the county line
State Plane and County is not checked
Double check your State Plane Zone!

13. Attachments Map required for all purposes “Choose”, then “Upload”!
For Disposal Wells (W-14)
Form W-14
Well Log
Must show freshwater resources and injection interval
Prefer from top to Total Depth

14. Attachment Filenames No Special Characters (!@#$%^&*) No Spaces
Keep it short
Recommend just name it “MAP”
NOTE: More information favors the desired outcome.
GAU needs Logs (e-Logs, Gamma, Porosity)
GAU rarely needs log segments that extend into the Prospect Zone
Ask if your uncertain what we need

15. GW-1 Troubleshooting Enter Operator Info – Save
Fill out Application – Save
Attach 1 file – Save
Attach next file – Save
If this process, doesn’t diagnose the problem call us at

16. Attachment Resources Digital Well Log Submission – RRC Online
GW-1: “Choose File Type” select “Well Log”
Attach from Digital Well Log Submission
RRC Public GIS Viewer

17. Digital Well Log Submission
Similar info as GW-1
Operator, Well, Survey, Coordinates
Select ALL tools run under “Choose Secondary Well Log Type”

18. Help Us Help You GAU needs Logs (e-Logs, Gamma, Porosity)
GAU rarely needs log segments that extend into the Prospect Zone
Ask if you’re uncertain what we need!
More information favors the desired outcome

19. Surveys
North
Good
Bad
You must measure perpendicular from at least two reference lines that are not parallel
Closest and Simplest lines
Measure from the closest lines
Stay away from “squiggly” river survey lines. If you must, measure from the nearest inflection point (maximum of curvature)-- like the bottom of a “U”

20. Map Example – Not to Scale
S. Avitt Survey, A-104
Well #9
API:
1300 ft FNWL
1800 ft FSWL
North
Scale 1 inch = 1000 ft
Must have 90° (right) angles from Survey lines
Survey line is River! Try to avoid measuring from it if possible.

21. Submission Inconsistencies
If your information doesn’t match, which information do we believe?
Map doesn’t match app
Mapping Department:

22. Common Misconceptions
Payment does not mean the application has been submitted. Check for:
“Submit” Button
Status Submitted
If an application is returned to you, you “Resubmit” to edit the application and resubmit it.

23. 2. Research Strategies for GW-1 with W-14 Example
On-Line Resources Regularly Used by the GAU with Examples
Mark Vining, Ph.D., P.G.

24. Table Of Contents - 2 W14 Application Protected Groundwater
What information is needed
Online Resources
Example Sites

25. W14 purpose GAU function W14 Application
Disposal of oilfield waste water
Into a non-producing formation
Specified injection interval
Isolate protected groundwater resources
GAU function
Prepare “No Harm” letter
Identify protected groundwater
Quantify isolation from proposed interval

26. Protected Groundwater
Usable-Quality
3,000 ppm TDS in practice in Texas
Isolated by:
250 feet net shale or impervious beds, AND
100 foot continuous shale or impervious bed
USDW
Defined by EPA as 10,000 ppm TDS
50 foot continuous shale or impervious bed

27. What Information is Needed
Completed W-14 application form.
Open-hole well log showing injection interval to surface.
Resistivity log preferred
Actual well or nearby offset
Gamma/Porosity in W. Texas
Location plat.
Completed GW-1 application with purpose “W14.”
Purpose
Defines injection interval.
Required for isolation analysis.
Required to confirm location.
Hub component that activates process.
Note – No expedite fee needed for W14.

28. Help us to help you More data favors the desired outcome.
Please call if you have any questions:
‎We want you to have a successful application the first time.
RRC GAU contact
(512)

29. Online Resources RRC online map viewer W-1 search
use the layer selection USGS National Map to view topo lines
W-1 search
BEG surface casing estimator
NEUBUS document image and well log repository

30. RRC Online Main Page

31. W-1 Search

32. Search

33. Search Results

34. RRC Online GIS Map Viewer

35. RRC Online GIS Map View

36. RRC GIS Viewer Alternative Base Map

37. BEG Surface Casing Estimator

38. BEG Surface Casing Information

39. NEUBUS Document Images Repository

40. NEUBUS

41. Online Resources Links
RRC online map viewer
use the layer selection USGS National Map to view topo lines
W-1 search
BEG surface casing estimator
NEUBUS document image and well log repository
Google Earth public site

42. Help us to help you Thank You More data favors the desired outcome.
Please call if you have any questions:
‎We want you to have a successful application the first time.
If you share your logs with us, we can reach a more mutually beneficial result.
Come talk to us if you have concerns about confidentiality:
Need log segments in shallow investigative zone, not in your prospect zone
May be able to use water quality data

43. Questions ? James Harcourt, P.G. Sean Avitt, P.G.
GAU Manager
(512) (main phone number)
Sean Avitt, P.G.
Mark Vining, Ph.D., P.G.