HB 5409
Relating to the ownership of water and minerals in dissolved or undissolved form in produced liquids and solids related to oil and gas drilling.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill modifies West Virginia’s code to clarify the ownership of water and minerals – including dissolved and undissolved forms – found in produced liquids and solids from oil and gas drilling operations. Specifically, it establishes that the well operator owns these substances, regardless of whether they are hydrocarbons. The bill also aims to streamline permitting processes for discharges of these materials into state waters and incorporates certain provisions from existing regulations related to horizontal wells.
Key provisions
- Well operators own produced liquids and solids (water and minerals) extracted from oil and gas wells.
- The bill clarifies the definition of ‘produced liquids and solids’ to include dissolved and undissolved forms.
- It establishes a separate permit process for the discharge or disposition of pollutants from oil and gas operations.
- The bill incorporates certain provisions from existing regulations related to horizontal wells into this new legislation.
- It modifies the requirements for plats related to horizontal wells, including specifying the identification of surface tract boundaries.
- It clarifies the process for objections to proposed deep well drilling sites.
- It addresses the introduction of fluids and gases into producing strata for enhanced recovery.
- It clarifies the requirements for the Oil and Gas Operating Permit and Processing Fund.
Who is affected
- Oil and gas companies
- Well operators
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