ORS 522.215
Suspension of drilling or operation

  • application
  • terms
  • extension
  • presumption of abandonment
  • unlawful abandonment
  • notice
  • proceedings against operator

(1)

No operator shall suspend drilling or operation of a geothermal well without obtaining permission from the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

(2)

The department may authorize an operator to suspend for a specific period operations or remove equipment from an uncompleted geothermal well upon such terms as the department may specify, upon written application of the operator and an affidavit showing good cause therefor.

(3)

Within a period of six months from the ending date specified for such suspension, the operator may make written application for an extension of suspension and file it with an affidavit showing good cause for such an extension. Upon a finding that the extension is merited, the governing board of the department may extend the suspension for an additional specific period.

(4)

If, after suspension, operations are not resumed by the operator within six months from the ending date specified for the suspension or extension thereof, an intention to abandon and unlawful abandonment shall be presumed.

(5)

Whenever an operator whose operations have been suspended fails to comply with such terms as the department may specify in its authorization, the geothermal well shall be presumed unlawfully abandoned. A well shall also be deemed unlawfully abandoned, if, without notice to the department, any drilling or producing equipment is removed.

(6)

An unlawful abandonment shall be declared by order of the board, and written notice thereof shall be mailed by registered mail or by certified mail with return receipt both to such operator at the last-known post-office address of the operator, to the registered agent of the operator, if any, and to the operator’s sureties.

(7)

After declaration of unlawful abandonment, the board may proceed against the operator and the surety of the operator as provided for in ORS 522.145 (Bond or security) and may bring suit pursuant to ORS 522.810 (Suits to enjoin violations) or take any other enforcement or recovery action authorized by law. [1975 c.552 §16; 1981 c.694 §9; 1991 c.249 §39; 2009 c.794 §19]

Source: Section 522.215 — Suspension of drilling or operation; application; terms; extension; presumption of abandonment; unlawful abandonment; notice; proceedings against operator, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors522.­html.

522.005
Definitions 522.015
Policy 522.019
Injection of geothermal fluids 522.025
Application 522.035
Ownership rights 522.045
Decommissioned well 522.055
Permit 522.065
Circulation of application to state agencies 522.075
Bond or security 522.080
Operator liability 522.085
Report certifying completion of decommissioning plan 522.115
Permit 522.125
Circulation of application to state agencies 522.135
Permit 522.145
Bond or security 522.155
Liability for failure to protect ground water and surface water 522.165
Request for permit modification 522.175
Plugging and decommissioning 522.195
Monthly production statement 522.205
Notice by prospective operator of transfer or purchase of well 522.215
Suspension of drilling or operation 522.225
Notice of intent to plug and decommission 522.245
Department approval of plugging and decommissioning 522.255
Resolution of conflicts between geothermal and water uses 522.275
Administration by State Geologist 522.305
Rules 522.315
Final order of department 522.325
Compliance with final order 522.355
Records of well 522.365
Filing record with department 522.405
Unitization 522.415
Unit operation plan 522.425
Provisions in rule or order requiring unit operation 522.435
Rule, order to supersede previous board action 522.445
Condition to effectiveness of unitization plan and unit agreement 522.455
Rehearing on rule or order 522.465
Appointment of unit operator 522.475
Board review of disputes over unit operation 522.485
Amendment of unitization plan 522.495
Presumptions regarding conduct of operation 522.505
Unauthorized operation in unit area prohibited 522.515
When agreement or plan held not to violate state securities or trade law 522.525
Land subject to board authority 522.535
Fees 522.545
Rulemaking authority 522.810
Suits to enjoin violations 522.815
Rules by board 522.910
Aiding in violations prohibited 522.915
False entries, omissions, destruction or removal of records or reports 522.990
Penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through early 2024

§ 522.215’s source at oregon​.gov