Okla. Admin. Code § 385:15-1-22

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 385:15-1-22 - Well installation and maintenance requirements

(a)Depth. Production and marketing infrastructure carrying gaseous or liquid substances shall be buried and maintained at a minimum depth of three (3) feet below the surface.

(b)Identification of well. Within thirty (30) days after the completion of a producing oil or gas well, a sign shall be posted showing the name and A.P.I. number of the well and the legal description of the lease.

(c)Surface casing. All wells drilled for oil, gas, or saltwater disposal, shall set surface casing below all freshwater strata, and shall be cemented from bottom to top.

(d)Enclosures of well property. Upon demand by Land Office all saltwater tanks, oil tanks, and other lease installations shall be enclosed with earthen dikes sufficient to protect the lease from damage by leakage or overflow. The oil and gas lessee shall erect and maintain substantial gates or cattle guards on all entrances to the lease or any subdivision thereof.

(e)Saltwater disposal well applications. Saltwater, other than that produced from the leased lands, shall not be disposed in wells on school lands except by written agreement with the Land Office. Applications for saltwater disposal agreements shall be accompanied by a plat showing the location of all wells from which the saltwater is produced and the amount of saltwater and oil produced by each well.

(f)Plugging requirements. The lessee shall securely plug all dry or abandoned wells in the manner required by the rules and regulations of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the laws of the State of Oklahoma.

(g)Care of surface. The lessee shall maintain all installations in a neat and workmanlike manner. The lessee shall remove all equipment or supplies not needed in day to day operation of the lease. Irrespective of other operational wells on the leased premises, the lessee shall immediately plug any dry, exhausted, or abandoned well when production of oil or gas from that well permanently ceases. The lessee shall immediately repair any damages caused by lease operations to terraces, waterways, or any other soil conservation practice.

(h)Removal of equipment and restoration of surface after lease termination. Upon termination of a lease, the lessee shall restore surface area; remove any casing, production facilities or equipment; and plug any well or wells on said lease within ninety (90) days unless an extension of time is granted in writing by the Land Office. Any material not removed within ninety (90) days shall be forfeited to the State. An inspection will be made ninety (90) days after termination of the lease and an inspection fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) shall be charged to the lessee if the surface restoration is incomplete. Additional inspections shall be conducted at thirty (30) day intervals until surface restoration is complete. An additional inspection fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) shall apply to each additional inspection.

Okla. Admin. Code § 385:15-1-22

Amended at 21 Ok Reg 633, eff 12-19-03 (emergency); Amended at 21 Ok Reg 1043, eff 5-13-04; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1299, eff 6-25-12

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 24, September 1, 2021, eff. 9/11/2021