Historical Overview of Well Driller Logs and the DWR Well Completion Report Bob Pierotti Southern...

Historical Overview Historical Overview of Well Driller Logs of Well Driller Logs

and the DWR and the DWR Well Completion Well Completion

ReportReport

Bob PierottiBob PierottiSouthern RegionSouthern Region

November 2009November 2009

Origin of Well LoggingOrigin of Well Logging

►Don’t knowDon’t know►Deep drilling was invented in Sichuan, Deep drilling was invented in Sichuan,

China in 11China in 11thth century. century. (Vogel, 1993)(Vogel, 1993)

►The first known artesian well was The first known artesian well was drilled in the Artois district of France in drilled in the Artois district of France in 1126. 1126. (Sarton, 1931)(Sarton, 1931)

Early Well LogsEarly Well Logs►England “In carrying on boring and well

work, a great deal of practical information … may be embodied by keeping a correct journal.” (Swindell, 1849)

►U.S. “The importance of keeping a careful record of the strata encountered in … drilling needs emphasis …” (Chamberlin, 1885)

►ChinaChina “In drilling wells the different “In drilling wells the different strata of the earth should be noted.” strata of the earth should be noted.” (Jung, 1890; translated by Fang, 1948)(Jung, 1890; translated by Fang, 1948)

Early Well LogsEarly Well Logs

Swindell, 1849

1848

Collection of SamplesCollection of Samples►One must collect “a full suite of

samples” (Chamberlin, 1885)

►One should sample: “every time the boring rods are drawn to

surface” (Spon, 1885)(Spon, 1885) “at intervals of not more than ten feet”

(Norton, 1897)

At each change of character in the strata. (Spon, 1885; Norton, 1897)

►Samples “are best poured into cigar boxes or fruit cans…” (Norton, 1897)

Were Drillers Making Logs?Were Drillers Making Logs?

►““The importance of accurate records The importance of accurate records of borings was early recognized by of borings was early recognized by the more enterprising of the drillers the more enterprising of the drillers …” …” (Fuller et al, 1905)(Fuller et al, 1905)

►““Mr. Catey has been drilling wells for Mr. Catey has been drilling wells for eighteen years in [southern eighteen years in [southern California] and has logs of hundreds California] and has logs of hundreds of wells.” of wells.” (Reagan, 1915)(Reagan, 1915)

Problems with Driller LogsProblems with Driller Logs► “Considerable difficulty has been

experienced in obtaining reliable information in regard to well borings …”

► For many wells no records could be obtained.

►The interpretation of well records is “difficult and uncertain” because many drillers “use haphazard terms of description for the

materials which they penetrate in boring wells” “trust much to memory when writing their

‘logs.’”Darton, 1897

Problems with Driller LogsProblems with Driller Logs

►Many drillers keep records while Many drillers keep records while drilling.drilling.

►But afterwards, the records are often But afterwards, the records are often lost. lost.

►After a driller works in an area for After a driller works in an area for some time and learns “the some time and learns “the succession of the rocks,” he keeps succession of the rocks,” he keeps no records while drilling.no records while drilling.

►Often even throwing away his earlier Often even throwing away his earlier records.records.Fuller et al, 1905Fuller et al, 1905

Early Filing of Well LogsEarly Filing of Well Logs► In 1904, the USGS began a voluntary In 1904, the USGS began a voluntary

“systematic collection of well records and “systematic collection of well records and samples” samples” (Fuller et al, 1905)(Fuller et al, 1905)

► By 1906, By 1906, The work had extended “to nearly every State and The work had extended “to nearly every State and

Territory…”Territory…” Scope included borings for oil, gas, and water wells. Scope included borings for oil, gas, and water wells. Nearly 2,000 records have been studied. Nearly 2,000 records have been studied. Upward of 12,000 samples, including sets from Upward of 12,000 samples, including sets from

about 900 wells and borings, have been examined, about 900 wells and borings, have been examined, classified, labeled, and filed.classified, labeled, and filed.

► Because of budget cuts, program apparently Because of budget cuts, program apparently ended.ended. USGS, 1906, 27th Annual Report of the USGS

Oil & Gas Well LogsOil & Gas Well Logs

►Beginning in 1909, owners of oil and Beginning in 1909, owners of oil and gas wells in California were required to: gas wells in California were required to: ““keep a careful and accurate log of the keep a careful and accurate log of the

drilling of such well …” drilling of such well …” ((Statutes of California, 1909, Chapter 356 ) )

►Beginning in 1915, owners were also Beginning in 1915, owners were also required to:required to: File a log with the Department of File a log with the Department of

Petroleum and Gas.Petroleum and Gas. If possible, file logs for wells drilled If possible, file logs for wells drilled

previous to the enactment of this act. previous to the enactment of this act.

Statutes of California, 1915, Chapter 718

California Requires Well LogsCalifornia Requires Well Logs

►A.B. 1934, Dickey et alA.B. 1934, Dickey et al►7076. Every person who hereafter 7076. Every person who hereafter

digs, bores or drills a water well, or digs, bores or drills a water well, or who deepens or reperforates any such who deepens or reperforates any such well, shall file with the appropriate well, shall file with the appropriate regional water pollution control board regional water pollution control board a report of completion of such well a report of completion of such well within thirty days after its construction within thirty days after its construction or repair has been completed.or repair has been completed.

Statutes of California, 1949, Chap 1552

California Requires Well LogsCalifornia Requires Well Logs►7076. The report shall be made on 7076. The report shall be made on

forms furnished by the Division of forms furnished by the Division of Water Resources and shall contain such Water Resources and shall contain such information as the division may information as the division may require, including but not limited to: require, including but not limited to: description of exact location of the well; description of exact location of the well; detailed log of the well; detailed log of the well; description of type of construction; description of type of construction; details of perforation; and details of perforation; and methods used for sealing-off surface or methods used for sealing-off surface or

contaminated waters. contaminated waters.


Selected Modifications to Selected Modifications to Water Code Regarding WCRWater Code Regarding WCR

Activities Requiring a WCR Activities Requiring a WCR

►““Every person who…digs, bores or Every person who…digs, bores or drills…or who deepens or drills…or who deepens or reperforates…” reperforates…” (Statutes of 1949, chap (Statutes of 1949, chap 1552)1552)

►““Every person who…digs, bores or Every person who…digs, bores or drills…or drills…or abandonsabandons or or destroysdestroys…or …or who deepens or reperforates…” who deepens or reperforates…” (Statutes of 1969, chap 482) (Statutes of 1969, chap 482)

Underlines added for emphasis

Types of Wells Requiring a Types of Wells Requiring a WCR WCR

►Water wells Water wells (Statutes of 1949, chap 1552)(Statutes of 1949, chap 1552) ►Cathodic protection wells Cathodic protection wells (Statutes of 1969, chap (Statutes of 1969, chap

482)482)

►Monitoring wells Monitoring wells (Statutes of 1986, chap 1373)(Statutes of 1986, chap 1373)

►Geothermal heat exchange wells Geothermal heat exchange wells (Statutes of 1996, chap 580) (Statutes of 1996, chap 580)

Driller Signature & LicenseDriller Signature & License

► In 1986, first statutory requirements In 1986, first statutory requirements for:for: Signature of the driller.Signature of the driller. C-57 Water Well Contractor’s License.C-57 Water Well Contractor’s License.


What was the intent of the What was the intent of the law requiring the filing of law requiring the filing of

WCR?WCR?

Intent of WCR Intent of WCR

►Water Code §§Water Code §§ 7076, 7077, & 7078 7076, 7077, & 7078 regarding well completion reports regarding well completion reports were part of a package of bills known were part of a package of bills known as the as the Dickey Water Pollution Control Dickey Water Pollution Control ActAct. .

►Added “Division 7. Water Pollution” to Added “Division 7. Water Pollution” to the State Water Code.the State Water Code. State Water Pollution Control BoardState Water Pollution Control Board Regional Water Pollution Control BoardsRegional Water Pollution Control Boards

►Became effective October 1, 1949.Became effective October 1, 1949.Statutes of California, 1949, Chapters 1549-1552

Intent of WCRIntent of WCR► ““considerable progress can be made by considerable progress can be made by

requiring … the filing of the logs of newly requiring … the filing of the logs of newly constructed wells, including all information constructed wells, including all information as to the water strata encountered and the as to the water strata encountered and the construction methods used for casing and construction methods used for casing and sealing off, and the details of perforation. sealing off, and the details of perforation.

► Such information, which must now be Such information, which must now be searched out without assurance of searched out without assurance of completeness, would be invaluable in the completeness, would be invaluable in the event of an underground pollution. event of an underground pollution.

► It would also provide a tremendous fund of It would also provide a tremendous fund of geologic information which is now lacking geologic information which is now lacking with regard to many of the underground with regard to many of the underground reservoirs of the State.” reservoirs of the State.”

Randal F. Dickey, 1949, Report of the interim fact-finding committee on water pollution

Intent of WCRIntent of WCR►““These sections are intended … to These sections are intended … to

begin the systematic accumulation of begin the systematic accumulation of the data on water wells which will be the data on water wells which will be needed by the regional boards, and needed by the regional boards, and which will be of great importance in the which will be of great importance in the studies of the Division of Water studies of the Division of Water Resources.” Resources.”

Randal F. Dickey, Water Quality Control in California, September 1950

Intent of WCR Intent of WCR ►““A current and complete file of well log A current and complete file of well log

data should be invaluable to the many data should be invaluable to the many agencies interested in ground water agencies interested in ground water problems. problems.

► In areas where quantity and quality In areas where quantity and quality studies are to be undertaken, this studies are to be undertaken, this information now must be sought information now must be sought through tedious field reconnaissance through tedious field reconnaissance without assurance of completeness without assurance of completeness since the logs for many wells are since the logs for many wells are unobtainable.”unobtainable.”Report on water well drillers’ completion reporting program: Region Water Pollution Control Board Executive Officers Committee, October 1952.

Intent of WCRIntent of WCR►““The information resulting from the The information resulting from the

provisions of this bill would be essential provisions of this bill would be essential for appropriate action in preventing for appropriate action in preventing pollution or correcting existing pollution pollution or correcting existing pollution of the waters of the State.” of the waters of the State.”

Warren T. Hannum, Director or Natural Resources, July 5, 1949

Intent of WCRIntent of WCR► Indeed, the value of well logs relative Indeed, the value of well logs relative

to the problem of contamination had to the problem of contamination had long been known.long been known.

► In 1911, because water wells can In 1911, because water wells can become contaminated, the USGS become contaminated, the USGS recommended that “[a]n accurate log recommended that “[a]n accurate log of the well should be kept, so that the of the well should be kept, so that the depth and character of the water-depth and character of the water-bearing formations may be known.” bearing formations may be known.”

Bowman, 1911, USGS Water-Supply Paper 257

Declaration of PolicyDeclaration of Policy► In 1965, a Declaration of Policy regarding In 1965, a Declaration of Policy regarding

WCR was added that further defines the WCR was added that further defines the intent.intent.

► The Legislature finds that the greater portion The Legislature finds that the greater portion of the water used in this state is obtained of the water used in this state is obtained from underground sources and that such from underground sources and that such waters are subject to impairment in quality waters are subject to impairment in quality and purity, causing detriment to the health, and purity, causing detriment to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state. safety and welfare of the people of the state.

► The Legislature therefore declares that the The Legislature therefore declares that the people of the state have a primary interest in people of the state have a primary interest in the location, construction, maintenance, the location, construction, maintenance, abandonment and destruction of water wells, abandonment and destruction of water wells, which activities directly affect the quality and which activities directly affect the quality and purity of underground waters.purity of underground waters.


Why file WCR with Regional Why file WCR with Regional Boards rather than with Boards rather than with

DWR?DWR?

An Alternative to A.B. 1934 An Alternative to A.B. 1934 ►Another bill regarding well logsAnother bill regarding well logs►Would have required logs be filed:Would have required logs be filed:

With the Department of Public Works With the Department of Public Works Logs of irrigation wells onlyLogs of irrigation wells only

►No action taken, died in committee.No action taken, died in committee.

S.B. 1366 introduced by Senator Crittenden on January 29, 1949

Regarding A.B. 1934 Regarding A.B. 1934 ► ““It should be noted that the reports … are not It should be noted that the reports … are not

made to the agency charged with … made to the agency charged with … investigating defective wells, sources of investigating defective wells, sources of pollution and underground water supply, and pollution and underground water supply, and … preparing and furnishing the forms …, which … preparing and furnishing the forms …, which is the Division of Water Resources, but are is the Division of Water Resources, but are made to regional water pollution control made to regional water pollution control boards.boards.

► I deem this feature [of AB 1934] objectionable. I deem this feature [of AB 1934] objectionable. ► Such information … should be filed with the Such information … should be filed with the

agency charged with conducting the agency charged with conducting the investigations. investigations.

► In any event, copies of the … records should In any event, copies of the … records should be also filed with the Division …” be also filed with the Division …” C. H. Purcell, Director of Public Works, July 6, 1949

What was the Practice? What was the Practice? ►The Water Code required WCR be filed The Water Code required WCR be filed

with regional water pollution control with regional water pollution control boards boards

►However, it was reported in October However, it was reported in October 1952 that the WCR were “being filed 1952 that the WCR were “being filed directly with the Division of Water directly with the Division of Water Resources”Resources”

Report on water well drillers’ completion reporting program: Region Water Pollution Control Board Executive Officers Committee, October 1952.

What was the Practice? What was the Practice? ►““Several Regional Boards have a vital Several Regional Boards have a vital

interest in information to be gained interest in information to be gained through the reporting program…” through the reporting program…”

►““There are, however, regions that have There are, however, regions that have little interest in such information at the little interest in such information at the present time.”present time.”


1965 A.B. 2707 Porter1965 A.B. 2707 Porter

►WCR must now be filed with DWR.WCR must now be filed with DWR.►““Every person who hereafter digs, Every person who hereafter digs,

bores or drills a water well … shall file bores or drills a water well … shall file with the department a report of with the department a report of completion …”completion …”


Value of Driller LogsValue of Driller Logs

Value of Driller LogsValue of Driller Logs

►““Location of reported wells has been Location of reported wells has been so poorly indicated, reports have little so poorly indicated, reports have little or no value and the Division has been or no value and the Division has been attempting to field-check the location attempting to field-check the location of each and every well report.”of each and every well report.”


Availability of WCRAvailability of WCR

Availability of WCRAvailability of WCR

►No restrictions on availability in 1949No restrictions on availability in 1949►Reports … Reports …

shall not be made available for inspection shall not be made available for inspection by the publicby the public

but shall be made available to but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in making governmental agencies for use in making studies. studies. ((Statutes of California, 1951, Chap 783))

►shall be made available to any person shall be made available to any person who obtains a written authorization who obtains a written authorization from the owner of the water well. from the owner of the water well. ((Statutes of California, 1965, Chap 1088))

Why Logs Are ConfidentialWhy Logs Are Confidential

►““The information required to be filed … The information required to be filed … is regarded by some drillers as part of is regarded by some drillers as part of their stock in trade, and such drillers are their stock in trade, and such drillers are reluctant to submit such information if it reluctant to submit such information if it is made available to the general public. is made available to the general public.

► It is believed that if such information is It is believed that if such information is not open to public inspection, more not open to public inspection, more complete and accurate information will complete and accurate information will be received.” be received.”

C. H. Purcell, Director of Public Works, May 21, 1951


►““It is properly within the prerogative of It is properly within the prerogative of the Legislature to prevent random the Legislature to prevent random inspection by the public of such inspection by the public of such reports since the reports are required reports since the reports are required for use by regional water pollution for use by regional water pollution control boards only.” control boards only.”

►““No constitutional objection.” No constitutional objection.”

Walter S. Roundtree, Deputy Attorney General, May 22, 1951


►A.B. 1512A.B. 1512 Passed Assembly unanimouslyPassed Assembly unanimously Passed Senate by 30 to 1Passed Senate by 30 to 1

►Governor’s office received no Governor’s office received no opposition from State agencies. opposition from State agencies.

►Supported bySupported by Department of Public HealthDepartment of Public Health Department of Public Works Department of Public Works

►““Approval is recommended.”Approval is recommended.”

A. Edward Nichols & Beach Vasey (Governor’s staff), May 29, 1951

A.B. 2530 (1994) A.B. 2530 (1994) SherSher

An attempt to make WCR An attempt to make WCR more easily availablemore easily available

A.B. 2530 (1994) SherA.B. 2530 (1994) Sher► Reports shall not be made available for Reports shall not be made available for

inspection by the public.inspection by the public.► Shall be made available to public agencies for Shall be made available to public agencies for

use in making studies.use in making studies.► A public agency may publish selected A public agency may publish selected

portions of a report if the information is portions of a report if the information is germane to the evaluation of water germane to the evaluation of water resources, water quality, geologic hazards, or resources, water quality, geologic hazards, or seismic hazards. seismic hazards.

► Shall be made available to any person who Shall be made available to any person who obtains a written authorization from the obtains a written authorization from the owner of the well.owner of the well.

A.B. 2530 (Sher) passed by Legislature in August 1994

A.B. 2530 (1994) SherA.B. 2530 (1994) Sher►Reports for wells located in urbanized Reports for wells located in urbanized

areas shall be made available to areas shall be made available to geologists, geophysicists, and civil geologists, geophysicists, and civil engineers registered in this state for engineers registered in this state for use in making studies.use in making studies.

►At any time after the report is filed, the At any time after the report is filed, the original well owner may request that original well owner may request that information contained in the report not information contained in the report not be made available to geologists, be made available to geologists, geophysicists, or civil engineers. geophysicists, or civil engineers.

A.B. 2530 (Sher) passed by Legislature in August 1994

Support for A.B. 2530Support for A.B. 2530►DWR analysis of A.B. 2530DWR analysis of A.B. 2530

PRO: “This bill would make … reports PRO: “This bill would make … reports more accessible to the scientific and more accessible to the scientific and engineering communities, thus reducing engineering communities, thus reducing time and costs for work related to seismic time and costs for work related to seismic safety and cleanup of contaminated safety and cleanup of contaminated ground water.”ground water.”

CON: “criteria for release of well reports is CON: “criteria for release of well reports is more complicated than necessary.”more complicated than necessary.”

Recommendation: “SIGN THE BILL” Recommendation: “SIGN THE BILL”

Enrolled Bill Report signed by Director Kennedy August 26, 1994

Opposition of A.B. 2530Opposition of A.B. 2530► ““these ‘logs’ are composed of soil and dirt these ‘logs’ are composed of soil and dirt

samples which reveal a wide range of samples which reveal a wide range of environmental conditions, including environmental conditions, including pesticide use, and underground water-table pesticide use, and underground water-table viability.”viability.”

► ““Is it fair to take information paid for by an Is it fair to take information paid for by an individual and make that information individual and make that information public?”public?”

► ““this information could potentially lead to this information could potentially lead to new regulations and based on historical new regulations and based on historical data rather than conducting investigations data rather than conducting investigations of existing groundwater resources. of existing groundwater resources. Groundwater resources fluctuate over time Groundwater resources fluctuate over time … it is imperative that any regulations be … it is imperative that any regulations be based on current rather than past data.” based on current rather than past data.”

Assemblymember Dean F. Andal to Governor Wilson, August 11, 1994

Veto of A.B. 2530Veto of A.B. 2530►““although this bill may appear to offer … although this bill may appear to offer …

the security of confidentiality, it also the security of confidentiality, it also mandates DWR to make the data mandates DWR to make the data available to state and local entities. available to state and local entities.

►… … this conflict violates the provider's this conflict violates the provider's request to keep the information request to keep the information confidential. confidential.

►… … the provider should have the the provider should have the assurance that when they request assurance that when they request confidentiality, the information will not confidentiality, the information will not be distributed to any individual or be distributed to any individual or governmental entity outside of DWR.” governmental entity outside of DWR.”

Governor Pete Wilson, veto message to State Assembly, September 27, 1994

MTBE S.B. 989 (1999) Sher et MTBE S.B. 989 (1999) Sher et alal

► ““Reports … shall not be made available for Reports … shall not be made available for inspection by the public, but shall be made inspection by the public, but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in available to governmental agencies for use in making studies, or to any person who obtains a making studies, or to any person who obtains a written authorization from the owner of the well.written authorization from the owner of the well. However, a report associated with a well located However, a report associated with a well located within two miles of an area affected or potentially within two miles of an area affected or potentially affected by a known unauthorized release of a affected by a known unauthorized release of a contaminant contaminant shall be made available to any person shall be made available to any person performing an environmental cleanup study performing an environmental cleanup study associated with the unauthorized release, if the associated with the unauthorized release, if the study is conducted under the order of a regulatory study is conducted under the order of a regulatory agencyagency. A report released to a person conducting . A report released to a person conducting an environmental cleanup study shall not be used an environmental cleanup study shall not be used for any purpose other than for the purpose of for any purpose other than for the purpose of conducting the study.”conducting the study.”


SummarySummary►1848, earliest (?) well logs.1848, earliest (?) well logs.►1904, systematic collection of well logs & 1904, systematic collection of well logs &

samples by USGS.samples by USGS.►1909, California required oil & gas well logs.1909, California required oil & gas well logs.►1949, California required water well logs.1949, California required water well logs.► Intent of law:Intent of law:

Use in groundwater pollution studiesUse in groundwater pollution studies Increase understanding of groundwater basinsIncrease understanding of groundwater basins

►Confidential to improve driller compliance.Confidential to improve driller compliance.

Questions?Questions?

Historical Overview of Well Driller Logs and the DWR Well Completion Report Bob Pierotti Southern...

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