Section 5780. Approval to mine near plugged gas or oil well

A. Applications may be made at any time to the director on forms furnished by the director and containing such information as the director may require by the operator for a permit to mine through a plugged gas or oil well. The application shall be accompanied by a map or maps as specified showing all mining operations or workings projected through the area of the well.

B. Notice of such application shall be sent by certified mail to the well operator and, in the case of mining through a well, to the gas and oil inspector. The notice shall inform the well operator and the gas and oil inspector of the right to object to the proposed mining activity. The objections must be filed with the director within 15 days after notice is received. The application also shall contain information necessary to establish that:

1. The well has been adequately plugged for the purpose of safely mining through, and

2. No oil, gas or fluids can migrate into the mine workings.

C. The director may, prior to considering the application, make or cause to be made any inspections or surveys which he deems necessary and may, if no objection is filed by the well operator or the gas and oil inspector within 15 days after notice is received, grant the request of the operator to conduct the mining operations as projected or with such modifications as he may deem necessary.

D. If the well operator or gas and oil inspector files an objection, a hearing will be held under the same procedures as set forth in § 9-6.14:11 of the Code of Virginia.

E. If the applicant for a permit to mine through a gas or oil well submits proof in writing that none of the persons required to be notified under this section has any objection to the projected mining activity, then the director may waive the notice requirement under this section and grant the request of the operator to conduct the projected mining activity, provided all other conditions have been met.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.