KRS 349.095: Procedure and requirements for drilling coalbed methane well.

(1) A coalbed methane well penetrating one (1) or more workable coalbeds shall be

drilled in a manner that will exclude, if practicable, all coalbed methane or coalbed

methane pressure from the workable coalbed, except as is found in the workable

coalbed itself. Each string of casing that is run through a workable coalbed shall be

seated at least thirty (30) feet below the workable coalbed in twenty (20) feet of

cement, mud, clay, or other nonporous material that will make an effective seal. If a

second workable coalbed is found less than thirty (30) feet below the first workable

coalbed, the casing shall be seated and mudded off as above provided at least thirty

(30) feet below the second workable coalbed. If gas is found between the two (2)

workable coalbeds, it shall be treated as prescribed by this chapter. After any such

string of casing has been properly seated, drilling may proceed immediately.

(2) When a coalbed methane well is drilled through the horizon of a workable coalbed

where the coal has been remo ved, the hole shall be drilled at least thirty (30) feet

below the workable coalbed, and shall be of a size sufficient to permit the placing of

a liner, which shall start not less than twenty (20) feet beneath the horizon of the

workable coalbed and extend not less than twenty (20) feet above it. The largest

sized casing to be used in the well shall be centrally placed within this liner. The

liner may be welded to the casing to be used, and the space between the liner and

the casing shall be filled with cem ent as the liner and casing are lowered into the

hole. Cement shall be placed in the bottom of the hole to a depth of twenty (20) feet

to form a sealed seat for both liner and casing. Following the setting of the liner,

drilling may proceed. If it is neces sary to drill through the horizon of two (2) or

more workable coalbeds where the coal has been removed, the liner shall be started

not less than twenty (20) feet below the lowest horizon penetrated and shall extend

to a point not less than twenty (20) feet above the highest horizon penetrated.