Wyoming WOGCC Rule 3-46 Testing

Appendix K, Sampling and Analysis Procedures, describes the sampling and analysis procedures for compliance with Chapter 3, Section 46, including the analytes to be tested and the methods required.

What Rule 3-46 requires

Requirement	Rule 3-46
Water sources	Each available water source within a ½-mile radius when there are 4 or fewer. When there are more than 4, the operator submits a sampling plan.
Initial baseline	Within the 12 months before spudding
First subsequent sampling	12 to 24 months after setting production casing or liner
Second subsequent sampling	36 to 48 months after setting production casing or liner, and at least 24 months after the first
Isotope trigger	Free gas, or dissolved methane above 5.0 mg/L, requires gas compositional analysis and stable isotope analysis of the methane
24-hour notification	To the WOGCC Supervisor, the DEQ Director, and the water source owner, for thermogenic or mixed gas; a methane increase above 5.0 mg/L between periods; methane at or above 10.0 mg/L; or BTEX or TPH at DEQ action levels
Protocols	Sampling, analysis, evaluation, and reporting follow Appendix K

Rule 3-46 analytes and how DIG covers them

Rule 3-46 analyte	Who covers it
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, ORP, turbidity	Field Sampling Procedures
pH, specific conductance, TDS, alkalinity	DIG
Major anions: bromide, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, nitrate and nitrite as N, phosphorus	DIG
Major cations: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium	DIG
Barium, boron, selenium, strontium	DIG
Dissolved gases: methane, ethane, propane	DIG (RSK-175)
TPH and BTEX	DIG
Naphthalene	Third Party Lab
Bacteria (iron related, sulfate reducing, slime forming)	Available upon request by BART (Biological Activity Reaction Test), run in-house (not within A2LA scope); may increase standard and rush turnaround times.

Wyoming’s 24-hour notification rule

A Wyoming result that shows thermogenic gas, or methane at or above 10.0 mg/L, starts a 24-hour notification duty to three parties. Knowing the gas type quickly matters. DIG runs the compositional and isotope analysis on the same sample, and a geochemist can talk you through the result.

Standard turnaround is 10 business days, with Rush (5 business days) and Super Rush (3 business days) available.

Sources

• Wyoming Administrative Rules. Navigate to: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Chapter 3, Section 46 (Groundwater Baseline Sampling, Analysis and Monitoring) and Appendix K.