{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1619.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1619.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1619.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1619.html"}],"law_id":77291,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77291,"structure_id":13431,"section_number":"45.2-1619","catch_line":" Field rules and drilling units for wells; hearings and orders","history":"1982, c. 347, \u00a7 45.1-301; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.20; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nIn order to prevent the waste of gas or oil or the drilling of unnecessary wells or to protect correlative rights, the Board on its own motion or upon application of the gas or oil owner may establish or modify drilling units. Drilling units, to the extent reasonably possible, shall be of uniform shape and size for an entire pool. Any gas, oil, or royalty owner may apply to the Board for the establishment of field rules and the creation of drilling units for the field. Unless such motion is made or an application is received at least 30 days prior to the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board, it shall not be heard by the Board at such meeting and shall be heard at the next meeting of the Board thereafter.B\n\nAt any hearing of the Board regarding the establishment or modification of drilling units, the Board shall make the following determinations:1\n\nWhether the proposed drilling unit is an unreasonable or arbitrary exercise of a gas or oil owner’s right to explore for or produce gas or oil;2\n\nWhether the proposal would unreasonably interfere with the present or future mining of coal or other minerals;3\n\nThe acreage to be included in the order;4\n\nThe acreage to be embraced within each drilling unit and its shape;5\n\nThe area within which wells may be drilled on each unit; and6\n\nThe allowable production of each well.C\n\nIn establishing or modifying a drilling unit for coalbed methane gas wells, and in order to accommodate the unique characteristics of coalbed methane development, the Board shall require that drilling units conform to the mine development plan, if any. If requested by the coal operator, well spacing shall correspond with mine operations, including the drilling of multiple coalbed methane gas wells on each drilling unit.D\n\nIf an order to establish or modify a drilling unit will allow a well to be drilled into or through a coal seam, any coal owner within the area to be covered by the drilling unit may object to the establishment of the drilling unit. Upon a coal owner’s objection, and without superseding, impairing, abridging, or affecting any contractual rights or obligations existing between coal and gas owners, the Board shall make its determination in accordance with the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.E\n\nThe Board may continue a hearing to its next meeting to allow for further investigation and the gathering and taking of additional data and evidence. If at the time of a hearing there is not sufficient evidence for the Board to determine field boundaries, drilling unit size or shape, or allowable production, the Board may enter a temporary order establishing provisional drilling units, field boundaries, and allowable production for the orderly development of the pool pending receipt of the information necessary to determine the ultimate pool boundaries, spacing of wells for the pool, and allowable production. Upon additional findings of fact, the boundaries of a pool, drilling units for the pool, and allowable production may be modified by the Board.F\n\nUnless otherwise provided for by the Board, after an application for a hearing to establish or modify drilling units or pool boundaries has been filed, no additional well shall be permitted in the pool until the Board’s order establishing or modifying the pool or units has been entered.G\n\nAfter the Board issues a field or pool spacing order that creates drilling units or a pattern of drilling units for a pool, if a gas or oil owner applies for a permit or otherwise indicates his desire to drill a well outside of such drilling units or pattern of drilling units and thereby potentially extend the pool, the Board may, on its own motion or the motion of any interested person, require that the well be located and drilled in compliance with the provisions of the order affecting the pool.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":277228,"text":"In order to prevent the waste of gas or oil or the drilling of unnecessary wells or to protect correlative rights, the Board on its own motion or upon application of the gas or oil owner may establish or modify drilling units. Drilling units, to the extent reasonably possible, shall be of uniform shape and size for an entire pool. Any gas, oil, or royalty owner may apply to the Board for the establishment of field rules and the creation of drilling units for the field. Unless such motion is made or an application is received at least 30 days prior to the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board, it shall not be heard by the Board at such meeting and shall be heard at the next meeting of the Board thereafter.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":277229,"text":"At any hearing of the Board regarding the establishment or modification of drilling units, the Board shall make the following determinations:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":277230,"text":"Whether the proposed drilling unit is an unreasonable or arbitrary exercise of a gas or oil owner’s right to explore for or produce gas or oil;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":277231,"text":"Whether the proposal would unreasonably interfere with the present or future mining of coal or other minerals;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":277232,"text":"The acreage to be included in the order;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":277233,"text":"The acreage to be embraced within each drilling unit and its shape;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":277234,"text":"The area within which wells may be drilled on each unit; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":277235,"text":"The allowable production of each well.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"8":{"id":277236,"text":"In establishing or modifying a drilling unit for coalbed methane gas wells, and in order to accommodate the unique characteristics of coalbed methane development, the Board shall require that drilling units conform to the mine development plan, if any. If requested by the coal operator, well spacing shall correspond with mine operations, including the drilling of multiple coalbed methane gas wells on each drilling unit.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":277237,"text":"If an order to establish or modify a drilling unit will allow a well to be drilled into or through a coal seam, any coal owner within the area to be covered by the drilling unit may object to the establishment of the drilling unit. Upon a coal owner’s objection, and without superseding, impairing, abridging, or affecting any contractual rights or obligations existing between coal and gas owners, the Board shall make its determination in accordance with the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"10":{"id":277238,"text":"The Board may continue a hearing to its next meeting to allow for further investigation and the gathering and taking of additional data and evidence. If at the time of a hearing there is not sufficient evidence for the Board to determine field boundaries, drilling unit size or shape, or allowable production, the Board may enter a temporary order establishing provisional drilling units, field boundaries, and allowable production for the orderly development of the pool pending receipt of the information necessary to determine the ultimate pool boundaries, spacing of wells for the pool, and allowable production. Upon additional findings of fact, the boundaries of a pool, drilling units for the pool, and allowable production may be modified by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"11":{"id":277239,"text":"Unless otherwise provided for by the Board, after an application for a hearing to establish or modify drilling units or pool boundaries has been filed, no additional well shall be permitted in the pool until the Board’s order establishing or modifying the pool or units has been entered.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"12":{"id":277240,"text":"After the Board issues a field or pool spacing order that creates drilling units or a pattern of drilling units for a pool, if a gas or oil owner applies for a permit or otherwise indicates his desire to drill a well outside of such drilling units or pattern of drilling units and thereby potentially extend the pool, the Board may, on its own motion or the motion of any interested person, require that the well be located and drilled in compliance with the provisions of the order affecting the pool.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1619\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1982. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 347 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 1982 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1987, chapter 452; in 1989, chapter 529; in 1990, chapter 92.<\/p>","references":[{"id":66948,"section_number":"45.2-1618","catch_line":" Notice of hearing; standing; form of hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1618\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":87450,"section_number":"45.2-1611","catch_line":" Objections by coal owner","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1611\/"}],"permalink":{"id":224757,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77291,"identifier":"45.2-1619","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1619","url":"\/45.2-1619\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1619\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/2\/45.2-1619","dublin_core":{"Title":" Field rules and drilling units for wells; hearings and orders","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1619","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In order<\/span> to prevent the waste<\/span> of gas or oil or the drilling of unnecessary wells<\/span> or to protect correlative rights<\/span>, the Board<\/span> on its own motion<\/span> or upon application of the gas or oil owner<\/span> may establish or modify drilling units<\/span>. Drilling units<\/span>, to the extent reasonably possible, shall be of uniform shape and size for an entire pool<\/span>. Any gas, oil, or royalty owner<\/span> may apply to the Board<\/span> for the establishment of field rules<\/span> and the creation of drilling units<\/span> for the field. Unless such motion<\/span> is made or an application is received at least 30 days prior to the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board<\/span>, it shall not be heard by the Board<\/span> at such meeting and shall be heard at the next meeting of the Board<\/span> thereafter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> At any hearing<\/span> of the Board<\/span> regarding the establishment or modification of drilling units<\/span>, the Board<\/span> shall make the following determinations: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Whether the proposed drilling unit<\/span> is an unreasonable or arbitrary exercise of a gas or oil owner<\/span>’s right to explore for or produce gas or oil; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Whether the proposal would unreasonably interfere with the present or future mining of coal or other minerals<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The acreage to be included in the order<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The acreage to be embraced within each drilling unit<\/span> and its shape; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The area within which wells<\/span> may be drilled on each unit; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The allowable production of each well<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In establishing or modifying a drilling unit<\/span> for coalbed methane gas<\/span> wells<\/span>, and in order<\/span> to accommodate the unique characteristics of coalbed methane development, the Board<\/span> shall require that drilling units<\/span> conform to the mine<\/span> development plan, if any. If requested by the coal operator<\/span>, well<\/span> spacing shall correspond with mine<\/span> operations, including the drilling of multiple coalbed methane gas<\/span> wells<\/span> on each drilling unit<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If an order<\/span> to establish or modify a drilling unit<\/span> will allow a well<\/span> to be drilled into or through a coal seam<\/span>, any coal owner<\/span> within the area to be covered by the drilling unit<\/span> may object<\/span> to the establishment of the drilling unit<\/span>. Upon a coal owner<\/span>’s objection, and without superseding, impairing, abridging, or affecting any contractual rights or obligations existing between coal and gas owners, the Board<\/span> shall make its determination in accordance with the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611<\/a> and 45.2-1612<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Board<\/span> may continue a hearing<\/span> to its next meeting to allow for further investigation and the gathering and taking of additional data and evidence<\/span>. If at the time of a hearing<\/span> there is not sufficient evidence<\/span> for the Board<\/span> to determine field boundaries, drilling unit<\/span> size or shape, or allowable production, the Board<\/span> may enter a temporary order<\/span> establishing provisional drilling units<\/span>, field boundaries, and allowable production for the orderly development of the pool<\/span> pending receipt of the information necessary to determine the ultimate pool<\/span> boundaries, spacing of wells for the pool<\/span>, and allowable production. Upon additional findings<\/span> of fact<\/span>, the boundaries of a pool<\/span>, drilling units<\/span> for the pool<\/span>, and allowable production may be modified by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Unless otherwise provided for by the Board<\/span>, after an application for a hearing<\/span> to establish or modify drilling units<\/span> or pool<\/span> boundaries has been filed, no additional well<\/span> shall be permitted in the pool<\/span> until the Board<\/span>’s order<\/span> establishing or modifying the pool<\/span> or units has been entered. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> After the Board<\/span> issues<\/span> a field or pool<\/span> spacing order<\/span> that creates drilling units<\/span> or a pattern of drilling units<\/span> for a pool<\/span>, if a gas or oil owner<\/span> applies for a permit or otherwise indicates his desire to drill a well<\/span> outside of such drilling units<\/span> or pattern of drilling units<\/span> and thereby potentially extend the pool<\/span>, the Board<\/span> may, on its own motion<\/span> or the motion<\/span> of any interested person, require that the well<\/span> be located and drilled in compliance with the provisions of the order<\/span> affecting the pool<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n FIELD RULES AND DRILLING UNITS FOR WELLS; HEARINGS AND ORDERS (\u00a7 45.2-1619)\n\nA. In order to prevent the waste of gas or oil or the drilling of unnecessary\nwells or to protect correlative rights, the Board on its own motion or upon\napplication of the gas or oil owner may establish or modify drilling units.\nDrilling units, to the extent reasonably possible, shall be of uniform shape and\nsize for an entire pool. Any gas, oil, or royalty owner may apply to the Board\nfor the establishment of field rules and the creation of drilling units for the\nfield. Unless such motion is made or an application is received at least 30 days\nprior to the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Board, it shall not\nbe heard by the Board at such meeting and shall be heard at the next meeting of\nthe Board thereafter.\n\nB. At any hearing of the Board regarding the establishment or modification of\ndrilling units, the Board shall make the following determinations:\n\n 1. Whether the proposed drilling unit is an unreasonable or arbitrary exercise\n of a gas or oil owner’s right to explore for or produce gas or oil;\n\n 2. Whether the proposal would unreasonably interfere with the present or\n future mining of coal or other minerals;\n\n 3. The acreage to be included in the order;\n\n 4. The acreage to be embraced within each drilling unit and its shape;\n\n 5. The area within which wells may be drilled on each unit; and\n\n 6. The allowable production of each well.\n\nC. In establishing or modifying a drilling unit for coalbed methane gas wells,\nand in order to accommodate the unique characteristics of coalbed methane\ndevelopment, the Board shall require that drilling units conform to the mine\ndevelopment plan, if any. If requested by the coal operator, well spacing shall\ncorrespond with mine operations, including the drilling of multiple coalbed\nmethane gas wells on each drilling unit.\n\nD. If an order to establish or modify a drilling unit will allow a well to be\ndrilled into or through a coal seam, any coal owner within the area to be\ncovered by the drilling unit may object to the establishment of the drilling\nunit. Upon a coal owner’s objection, and without superseding, impairing,\nabridging, or affecting any contractual rights or obligations existing between\ncoal and gas owners, the Board shall make its determination in accordance with\nthe provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.\n\nE. The Board may continue a hearing to its next meeting to allow for further\ninvestigation and the gathering and taking of additional data and evidence. If\nat the time of a hearing there is not sufficient evidence for the Board to\ndetermine field boundaries, drilling unit size or shape, or allowable\nproduction, the Board may enter a temporary order establishing provisional\ndrilling units, field boundaries, and allowable production for the orderly\ndevelopment of the pool pending receipt of the information necessary to\ndetermine the ultimate pool boundaries, spacing of wells for the pool, and\nallowable production. Upon additional findings of fact, the boundaries of a\npool, drilling units for the pool, and allowable production may be modified by\nthe Board.\n\nF. Unless otherwise provided for by the Board, after an application for a\nhearing to establish or modify drilling units or pool boundaries has been filed,\nno additional well shall be permitted in the pool until the Board’s order\nestablishing or modifying the pool or units has been entered.\n\nG. After the Board issues a field or pool spacing order that creates drilling\nunits or a pattern of drilling units for a pool, if a gas or oil owner applies\nfor a permit or otherwise indicates his desire to drill a well outside of such\ndrilling units or pattern of drilling units and thereby potentially extend the\npool, the Board may, on its own motion or the motion of any interested person,\nrequire that the well be located and drilled in compliance with the provisions\nof the order affecting the pool.\n\nHISTORY: 1982, c. 347, \u00a7 45.1-301; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92, \u00a7\n45.1-361.20; 2021, Sp. Sess. 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}}