{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1616.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1616.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1616.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1616.html"}],"law_id":59912,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59912,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1616","catch_line":" Statewide spacing of wells","history":"1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.17; 1996, c. 854; 1997, c. 759; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nUnless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the field or pool rules so allows:1\n\nNo well drilled in search of oil shall be located closer than 1,250 feet to any well completed in the same pool; however, this spacing requirement is subject to § 45.2-1612;2\n\nNo well drilled in search of gas shall be located closer than 2,500 feet to any other well completed in the same pool or closer than 2,500 feet to any storage well within the boundary of a gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission prior to January 1, 1997, if the well to be drilled is to be completed within the same horizon as the certificated gas storage field; and3\n\nNo well shall be drilled closer to the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit, than one-half of the applicable minimum well spacing distance prescribed in this section.B\n\nUnless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the field or pool rules so allows:1\n\nNo well drilled in search of coalbed methane gas shall be located closer than 1,000 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well, or in the case of a coalbed methane gas well located in the gob, closer than 500 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well located in the gob.2\n\nNo coalbed methane gas well shall be drilled closer than 500 feet, or in the case of a well located in the gob, closer than 250 feet, from the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit.3\n\nThe spacing limitations set forth in this subsection are subject to the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":219429,"text":"Unless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the field or pool rules so allows:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":219430,"text":"No well drilled in search of oil shall be located closer than 1,250 feet to any well completed in the same pool; however, this spacing requirement is subject to § 45.2-1612;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":219431,"text":"No well drilled in search of gas shall be located closer than 2,500 feet to any other well completed in the same pool or closer than 2,500 feet to any storage well within the boundary of a gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission prior to January 1, 1997, if the well to be drilled is to be completed within the same horizon as the certificated gas storage field; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":219432,"text":"No well shall be drilled closer to the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit, than one-half of the applicable minimum well spacing distance prescribed in this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":219433,"text":"Unless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the field or pool rules so allows:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B1"},"5":{"id":219434,"text":"No well drilled in search of coalbed methane gas shall be located closer than 1,000 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well, or in the case of a coalbed methane gas well located in the gob, closer than 500 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well located in the gob.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":219435,"text":"No coalbed methane gas well shall be drilled closer than 500 feet, or in the case of a well located in the gob, closer than 250 feet, from the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"7":{"id":219436,"text":"The spacing limitations set forth in this subsection are subject to the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13431,"edition_id":1,"name":"Gas and Oil Conservation","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13430,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:53","permalink":{"id":224731,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13431,"identifier":"2","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2","url":"\/45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13430,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Gas and Oil Act","identifier":"16","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13429,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:53","permalink":{"id":224675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13430,"identifier":"16","token":"45.2\/IV\/16","url":"\/45.2\/IV\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13429,"edition_id":1,"name":"Gas and Oil","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:53","permalink":{"id":224673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13429,"identifier":"IV","token":"45.2\/IV","url":"\/45.2\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76144,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1613","catch_line":" Meetings of the Board; notice; general powers and duties","url":"\/45.2-1613\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1613","metadata":false},{"id":76594,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1614","catch_line":" Additional duties and responsibilities of the Board","url":"\/45.2-1614\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1614","metadata":false},{"id":83675,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1615","catch_line":" Applicability and construction","url":"\/45.2-1615\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1615","metadata":false},{"id":59912,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1616","catch_line":" Statewide spacing of wells","url":"\/45.2-1616\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1616","metadata":false},{"id":60521,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1617","catch_line":" Voluntary pooling of interests in drilling units; validity of unit agreements","url":"\/45.2-1617\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1617","metadata":false},{"id":66948,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1618","catch_line":" Notice of hearing; standing; form of hearing","url":"\/45.2-1618\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1618","metadata":false},{"id":77291,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1619","catch_line":" Field rules and drilling units for wells; hearings and orders","url":"\/45.2-1619\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1619","metadata":false},{"id":81791,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1620","catch_line":" Pooling of interests in drilling units","url":"\/45.2-1620\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1620","metadata":false},{"id":80520,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1621","catch_line":" Coalbed methane gas; ownership","url":"\/45.2-1621\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1621","metadata":false},{"id":64077,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1622","catch_line":" Pooling of interests for coalbed methane gas wells; conflicting claims to ownership","url":"\/45.2-1622\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1622","metadata":false},{"id":72088,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1623","catch_line":" Conflicting claims of ownership; arbitration","url":"\/45.2-1623\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1623","metadata":false},{"id":54396,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1624","catch_line":" Release of funds held in escrow or suspense because of conflicting claims to coalbed methane gas","url":"\/45.2-1624\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1624","metadata":false},{"id":56696,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1625","catch_line":" Appeals of the Director's decisions; notices; hearings and orders","url":"\/45.2-1625\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1625","metadata":false},{"id":85821,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1626","catch_line":" Enforcement","url":"\/45.2-1626\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1626","metadata":false},{"id":54593,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1627","catch_line":" Standing when Director or Board fails to act","url":"\/45.2-1627\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1627","metadata":false},{"id":56231,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1628","catch_line":" Recording of orders","url":"\/45.2-1628\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1628","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83675,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1615","catch_line":" Applicability and construction","url":"\/45.2-1615\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1615","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60521,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1617","catch_line":" Voluntary pooling of interests in drilling units; validity of unit agreements","url":"\/45.2-1617\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1617","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1616\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 92 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1996, chapter 854<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 759<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81791,"section_number":"45.2-1620","catch_line":" Pooling of interests in drilling units","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1620\/"},{"id":65415,"section_number":"45.2-1632","catch_line":" Notice of permit applications and permit modification applications required; content","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1632\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":87450,"section_number":"45.2-1611","catch_line":" Objections by coal owner","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1611\/"},{"id":73152,"section_number":"45.2-1612","catch_line":" Distance limitations of certain wells","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1612\/"}],"permalink":{"id":224745,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59912,"identifier":"45.2-1616","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1616","url":"\/45.2-1616\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1616\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1616","dublin_core":{"Title":" Statewide spacing of wells","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1616","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Unless prior approval has been received from the Board<\/span> or a provision of the field or pool<\/span> rules so allows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> No well<\/span> drilled in search of oil<\/span> shall be located closer than 1,250 feet to any well<\/span> completed in the same pool<\/span>; however, this spacing requirement is subject to § 45.2-1612<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> No well drilled in search of gas<\/span> shall be located closer than 2,500 feet to any other well completed in the same pool<\/span> or closer than 2,500 feet to any storage well<\/span> within the boundary of a gas<\/span> storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission prior to January 1, 1997, if the well to be drilled is to be completed within the same horizon as the certificated gas<\/span> storage field; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> No well shall be drilled closer to the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit<\/span>, than one-half of the applicable minimum well spacing distance prescribed in this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Unless prior approval has been received from the Board<\/span> or a provision of the field or pool<\/span> rules so allows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> No well drilled in search of coalbed methane gas<\/span> shall be located closer than 1,000 feet to any other coalbed methane gas<\/span> well<\/span>, or in the case of a coalbed methane gas<\/span> well<\/span> located in the gob<\/span>, closer than 500 feet to any other coalbed methane gas<\/span> well<\/span> located in the gob<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> No coalbed methane gas<\/span> well<\/span> shall be drilled closer than 500 feet, or in the case of a well located in the gob<\/span>, closer than 250 feet, from the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The spacing limitations set forth in this subsection are subject to the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611<\/a> and 45.2-1612<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n STATEWIDE SPACING OF WELLS (\u00a7 45.2-1616)\n\nA. Unless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the\nfield or pool rules so allows:\n\n 1. No well drilled in search of oil shall be located closer than 1,250 feet to\n any well completed in the same pool; however, this spacing requirement is\n subject to § 45.2-1612;\n\n 2. No well drilled in search of gas shall be located closer than 2,500 feet to\n any other well completed in the same pool or closer than 2,500 feet to any\n storage well within the boundary of a gas storage field certificated by the\n State Corporation Commission prior to January 1, 1997, if the well to be\n drilled is to be completed within the same horizon as the certificated gas\n storage field; and\n\n 3. No well shall be drilled closer to the boundary of the acreage supporting\n the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a\n contractual or statutory drilling unit, than one-half of the applicable\n minimum well spacing distance prescribed in this section.\n\nB. Unless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the\nfield or pool rules so allows:\n\n 1. No well drilled in search of coalbed methane gas shall be located closer\n than 1,000 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well, or in the case of a\n coalbed methane gas well located in the gob, closer than 500 feet to any other\n coalbed methane gas well located in the gob.\n\n 2. No coalbed methane gas well shall be drilled closer than 500 feet, or in\n the case of a well located in the gob, closer than 250 feet, from the boundary\n of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold\n or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit.\n\n 3. The spacing limitations set forth in this subsection are subject to the\n provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.17; 1996, c. 854; 1997, c. 759; 2021, Sp.\nSess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}