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
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