Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 79.24 - Contents of order(a) The spacing order shall determine the following issues: (1) The area covered by the spacing order. The area shall be indicated on a map or plat, and placed in the permanent records of the Department. The map or plat shall also be recorded promptly in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county where the land is located, by the successful party, who shall furnish proof of recording to the Department. (2) The approximate size of the spacing unit.(b) In the event the applicant or other interested party has filed a property map indicating spacing units, or if the Department desires to do so on its own motion, individual spacing units within the area covered by the order may be set out on the best available map.(c) In the event that the spacing units are not set out on the map of the area covered by the spacing order, the Department will fix the approximate size of the spacing units, and will fix the location of spacing units around all existing wells in the pool. Before drilling permits will be issued in the area covered by the spacing order, the operator or operators seeking the permits shall be required to submit a plat defining the spacing unit containing approximately this amount of acreage accompanied by an application to the Department to fix the spacing unit for the well. Notice shall then be given to all of the operators owning an interest in the area covered by the spacing order, in the same manner as provided in § 79.22 (relating to notice of hearing). The outside boundary lines of the spacing unit in the direction of prior spacing units shall coincide with the boundaries of the prior units, without gaps or omitted tracts in between two units. The other operators and royalty owners within the area to be covered by the proposed spacing unit or in the vicinity thereof, may appear at the hearing and oppose or support the formation of the unit, or present other plans for the formation of the unit. The unit shall reasonably conform to the area which will be efficiently and economically drained by the well drilled thereon. After notice and hearing, the Department will determine the area to be included in the spacing unit and file the plat thereof in the permanent records of the Department. The successful party shall promptly record the plat in the office of the recorder of deeds of the county or counties where the land is located. (d) The order will fix the minimum distance which a well drilled on each unit shall be set back from the nearest boundary line of the unit.The provisions of this §79.24 adopted August 12, 1971, effective 8/13/1971, 1 Pa.B. 1726.