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Crown Minerals Act 1991

Permits, access to land, and other matters - Decommissioning of petroleum infrastructure and wells - Plugging and abandonment of wells

89Q: What is plugging and abandonment of well

You could also call this:

"Sealing a well permanently so it can't be used again"

Illustration for Crown Minerals Act 1991

When you plug and abandon a well, it means the well is sealed to make it permanently inoperable. You do this by following any relevant laws or standards, and what regulatory authorities require. The wellhead is also removed, and any site remediation needed by other laws is completed, as well as any other necessary actions to plug and abandon the well. You can find more information about the laws related to this in the Crown Minerals (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021. This process is an important part of managing wells in a responsible way.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS622389.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
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89P: Joint and several liability, or

"When you share a permit or licence with others, you are all equally responsible for costs and actions."

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89R: Obligations of permit holders: decommissioning of wells, or

"When you're done using a well, you must fill it and make it safe"

Part 1BPermits, access to land, and other matters
Decommissioning of petroleum infrastructure and wells: Plugging and abandonment of wells

89QWhat is plugging and abandonment of well

  1. A well is plugged and abandoned when—

  2. the well is sealed in order to make it permanently inoperable; and
    1. the sealing is conducted in accordance with any relevant enactment or standard, and the requirements of any regulatory authority; and
      1. the wellhead is removed; and
        1. any remediation of the site required by another enactment is completed; and
          1. any other prescribed action required to plug and abandon the well is completed.

            Notes
            • Section 89Q: inserted, on , by section 18 of the Crown Minerals (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 53).