N.D. Cent. Code § 38-08-04.4

Current through the 2023 Legislative Sessions

Section 38-08-04.4 - Commission authorized to enter into contracts

The commission may enter public and private contractual agreements for the plugging or replugging of oil and gas or injection wells, the removal or repair of related equipment, the reclamation of abandoned oil and gas or injection well sites, the reclamation of saltwater handling facility sites, the reclamation of treating plant sites, and the reclamation of oil and gas-related pipelines and associated facilities, including reclamation as a result of leaks or spills from a pipeline or associated facility, if any of the following apply:

1. The person or company drilling or operating the well or equipment cannot be found, has no assets with which to properly plug or replug the well or reclaim the site, cannot be legally required to plug or replug the well or to reclaim the site, pipeline, or associated pipeline facility, or damage is the result of an illegal dumping incident.

2. There is no bond covering the well to be plugged or the site to be reclaimed or there is a bond but the cost of plugging or replugging the well or reclaiming the site, pipeline, or associated pipeline facility exceeds the amount of the bond or damage is the result of an illegal dumping incident.

3. The well, equipment, pipeline, or associated pipeline facility is leaking or likely to leak oil, gas, or saltwater or is likely to cause a serious threat of pollution or injury to the public health or safety.

Sealed bids for any well plugging or reclamation work under this section must be solicited by placing a notice in the official county newspaper of the county in which the work is to be done and in such other newspapers of general circulation in the area as the commission may deem appropriate. Bids must be addressed to the commission and must be opened publicly at the time and place designated in the notice. The contract must be let to the lowest responsible bidder, but the commission may reject any or all bids submitted. If a well or equipment is leaking or likely to leak oil, gas, or saltwater or is likely to cause a serious threat of pollution or injury to the public health or safety, the commission, without notice or the letting of bids, may enter into contracts necessary to mitigate the problem.

The contracts for the plugging or replugging of wells or the reclamation of well sites must be on terms and conditions as prescribed by the commission, but at a minimum the contracts shall require the plugging and reclamation to comply with all statutes and rules governing the plugging of wells and reclamation of sites.

N.D.C.C. § 38-08-04.4

Amended by S.L. 2019, ch. 299 (SB 2123),§ 1, eff. 8/1/2019.

Amended by S.L. 2013, ch. 277 (HB 1333),§ 3, eff. 7/1/2013.

See S.L. 2013, ch. 277 (HB 1333), § 11.