SECTION 385:15-1-22. Well installation and maintenance requirements

(a)   Pipeline depth. All pipelines must be buried and maintained at a minimum of three (3) feet below the surface.

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

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

(d)   Enclosures of well property. Upon demand by Commission all salt water tanks, oil tanks and other lease installations shall be enclosed with earthen dikes sufficient to protect the lease from damage by leakage and overflowing. 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. Salt water, other than that produced from the leased lands, may not be disposed of in wells on State land unless pursuant to written agreement with the Commission. Applications for salt water disposal agreements should be accompanied by a plat showing the location of all wells from which the salt water is produced, and the amount of salt water and oil produced by each well. (For fees and agreements, contact the Real Estate Management Division.)

(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. All equipment or supplies not needed in day to day operation of the lease shall be removed from the lease. All dry or exhausted wells shall be plugged immediately upon abandonment. The lessee shall repair immediately any damages caused by his operation 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 have ninety (90) days thereafter to restore surface area, remove any casing, production facilities or equipment and plug any well or wells on said lease unless an extension of time is granted in writing by the Commissioners of the Land Office, any material not removed in said time shall be forfeited to the State. An inspection will be made ninety (90) days after termination and a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) will be charged if the requirements of this paragraph have not been met. Likewise, additional inspections will be made at thirty (30) day intervals until restoration of the surface and removal of material is completed. The fee will apply to each inspection.

[Source: 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]