HB 3415
New and existing Orphan Well Prevention Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
House Bill 3415, the New and Existing Orphan Well Prevention Act of 2025, aims to prevent oil and gas wells from becoming ‘orphaned’ – meaning without a responsible operator to plug them – on surface owner’s land. The bill establishes procedures for preventing these wells from posing environmental and safety risks, and requires that plugging funds be held in escrow by the State Treasurer. It also introduces new requirements for bonding new wells and transferring existing wells to ensure proper plugging and reclamation.
Key provisions
- Creates a new article in the West Virginia Code addressing orphan oil and gas wells.
- Requires new well permits to include a single well bond or a plugging money set aside escrow agreement.
- Mandates that existing wells transferred to new operators must also have a plugging money set aside escrow account or a bond.
- Establishes a system for escrowing plugging funds managed by the State Treasurer’s Office.
- Requires drillers of new wells to agree to plug existing orphaned wells in the leased area.
- Allows surface owners to defer well plugging under certain conditions, subject to specific requirements.
- Defines the concept of an ‘orphaned well’ and outlines the associated risks.
- Specifies the calculation of plugging money set aside amounts based on production and estimated costs.
Who is affected
- Oil and gas operators
- Surface landowners
- The State Treasurer’s Office
- The Office of Oil and Gas
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