{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1629.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1629.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1629.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1629.html"}],"law_id":58734,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58734,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1629","catch_line":" Duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Director","history":"1982, c. 347, \u00a7\u00a7 45.1-315, 45.1-316, 45.1-317; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.35; 1996, c. 854; 1998, c. 228; 2002, c. 277; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Director shall adopt and enforce regulations and orders necessary to ensure the safe and efficient development and production of gas and oil resources located in the Commonwealth. Such regulations and orders shall be designed to:1\n\nPrevent pollution of state waters and require compliance with the water quality standards adopted by the State Water Control Board;2\n\nProtect against offsite disturbances from gas, oil, or geophysical operations;3\n\nEnsure the restoration of all sites disturbed by gas, oil, or geophysical operations;4\n\nPrevent the escape of the Commonwealth’s gas and oil resources;5\n\nProvide for safety in coal and mineral mining and coalbed methane well and related facility operations;6\n\nControl wastes from gas, oil, or geophysical operations;7\n\nProvide for the accurate measurement of gas and oil production and delivery to the first point of sale; and8\n\nProtect the public safety and general welfare.B\n\nIn adopting regulations and when issuing orders for the enforcement of the provisions of this article, the Director shall consider the following factors:1\n\nThe protection of the citizens and environment of the Commonwealth from the public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and production of gas or oil;2\n\nThe means of ensuring the safe recovery of coal and other minerals without substantially affecting the right of coal, minerals, gas, oil, or geophysical operators to explore for and produce coal, minerals, gas, or oil; and3\n\nThe protection of safety and health on permitted sites for coalbed methane wells and related facilities.C\n\nIn adopting regulations and orders, the Director may set and enforce standards governing the following: gas or oil ground-disturbing geophysical exploration; the development, drilling, casing, equipping, operating, and plugging of gas or oil production, storage, enhanced recovery, or disposal wells; the development, operation, and restoration of site disturbances for wells, gathering pipelines, and associated facilities; and gathering pipeline safety.D\n\nWhenever the Director determines that an emergency exists, he shall issue an emergency order without advance notice or hearing. Such order shall have the same validity as an order issued with advance notice and hearing but shall remain in force no longer than 30 days from its effective date. After issuing an emergency order, the Director shall promptly notify the public of the order by publication and hold a public hearing for the purposes of modifying, repealing, or making permanent the emergency order. An emergency order shall prevail as against a general regulation or order when in conflict with it. Emergency orders shall apply to gas, oil, or geophysical operations and to particular fields, geographical areas, subject areas, subject matters, or situations.E\n\nThe Director also may:1\n\nIssue, condition, and revoke permits;2\n\nIssue notices of violation and orders upon the violation of any provision of this chapter or regulation adopted thereunder;3\n\nIssue closure orders in cases of imminent danger to persons or damage to the environment or upon a history of violations;4\n\nRequire or forfeit bonds or other financial securities;5\n\nPrescribe the nature of and form for the presentation of any information or documentation required by any provision of this article or regulation adopted thereunder;6\n\nMaintain suit in the county or city where a violation has occurred or is threatened or wherever a person who has violated or threatens to violate any provision of this chapter is found in order to restrain the actual or threatened violation;7\n\nAt reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter upon any property and take action as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter; and8\n\nInspect and review all properties and records thereof as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.F\n\nThe Director has no jurisdiction to hear objections with respect to any matter subject to the jurisdiction of the Board as set out in Article 2 (§ 45.2-1613 et seq.). Such objections shall be referred to the Board in a manner prescribed by the Director.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":215197,"text":"The Director shall adopt and enforce regulations and orders necessary to ensure the safe and efficient development and production of gas and oil resources located in the Commonwealth. Such regulations and orders shall be designed to:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":215198,"text":"Prevent pollution of state waters and require compliance with the water quality standards adopted by the State Water Control Board;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":215199,"text":"Protect against offsite disturbances from gas, oil, or geophysical operations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":215200,"text":"Ensure the restoration of all sites disturbed by gas, oil, or geophysical operations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":215201,"text":"Prevent the escape of the Commonwealth’s gas and oil resources;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":215202,"text":"Provide for safety in coal and mineral mining and coalbed methane well and related facility operations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":215203,"text":"Control wastes from gas, oil, or geophysical operations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":215204,"text":"Provide for the accurate measurement of gas and oil production and delivery to the first point of sale; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":215205,"text":"Protect the public safety and general welfare.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"B"},"9":{"id":215206,"text":"In adopting regulations and when issuing orders for the enforcement of the provisions of this article, the Director shall consider the following factors:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"B1"},"10":{"id":215207,"text":"The protection of the citizens and environment of the Commonwealth from the public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and production of gas or oil;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"11":{"id":215208,"text":"The means of ensuring the safe recovery of coal and other minerals without substantially affecting the right of coal, minerals, gas, oil, or geophysical operators to explore for and produce coal, minerals, gas, or oil; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"12":{"id":215209,"text":"The protection of safety and health on permitted sites for coalbed methane wells and related facilities.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"13":{"id":215210,"text":"In adopting regulations and orders, the Director may set and enforce standards governing the following: gas or oil ground-disturbing geophysical exploration; the development, drilling, casing, equipping, operating, and plugging of gas or oil production, storage, enhanced recovery, or disposal wells; the development, operation, and restoration of site disturbances for wells, gathering pipelines, and associated facilities; and gathering pipeline safety.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"14":{"id":215211,"text":"Whenever the Director determines that an emergency exists, he shall issue an emergency order without advance notice or hearing. Such order shall have the same validity as an order issued with advance notice and hearing but shall remain in force no longer than 30 days from its effective date. After issuing an emergency order, the Director shall promptly notify the public of the order by publication and hold a public hearing for the purposes of modifying, repealing, or making permanent the emergency order. An emergency order shall prevail as against a general regulation or order when in conflict with it. Emergency orders shall apply to gas, oil, or geophysical operations and to particular fields, geographical areas, subject areas, subject matters, or situations.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"15":{"id":215212,"text":"The Director also may:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"E1"},"16":{"id":215213,"text":"Issue, condition, and revoke permits;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"17":{"id":215214,"text":"Issue notices of violation and orders upon the violation of any provision of this chapter or regulation adopted thereunder;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"E3"},"18":{"id":215215,"text":"Issue closure orders in cases of imminent danger to persons or damage to the environment or upon a history of violations;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"E3","prefix_anchor":"E3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E2","next_prefix":"E4"},"19":{"id":215216,"text":"Require or forfeit bonds or other financial securities;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"E4","prefix_anchor":"E4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E3","next_prefix":"E5"},"20":{"id":215217,"text":"Prescribe the nature of and form for the presentation of any information or documentation required by any provision of this article or regulation adopted thereunder;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"E5","prefix_anchor":"E5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E4","next_prefix":"E6"},"21":{"id":215218,"text":"Maintain suit in the county or city where a violation has occurred or is threatened or wherever a person who has violated or threatens to violate any provision of this chapter is found in order to restrain the actual or threatened violation;","type":"section","prefixes":["E","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"E6","prefix_anchor":"E6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E5","next_prefix":"E7"},"22":{"id":215219,"text":"At reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter upon any property and take action as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter; and","type":"section","prefixes":["E","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"E7","prefix_anchor":"E7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E6","next_prefix":"E8"},"23":{"id":215220,"text":"Inspect and review all properties and records thereof as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"E8","prefix_anchor":"E8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E7","next_prefix":"F"},"24":{"id":215221,"text":"The Director has no jurisdiction to hear objections with respect to any matter subject to the jurisdiction of the Board as set out in Article 2 (§ 45.2-1613 et seq.). Such objections shall be referred to the Board in a manner prescribed by the Director.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15425,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Gas and Oil Development and Production","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13430,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:54:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:54:49","permalink":{"id":224797,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15425,"identifier":"3","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3","url":"\/45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/","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":58734,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1629","catch_line":" Duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Director","url":"\/45.2-1629\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1629","metadata":false},{"id":67412,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1630","catch_line":" Powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Inspector","url":"\/45.2-1630\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1630","metadata":false},{"id":69690,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1631","catch_line":" Permit required; gas, oil, or geophysical operations; coalbed methane gas wells; environmental assessment","url":"\/45.2-1631\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1631","metadata":false},{"id":65415,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1632","catch_line":" Notice of permit applications and permit modification applications required; content","url":"\/45.2-1632\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1632","metadata":false},{"id":71051,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1633","catch_line":" Bonding and financial security required","url":"\/45.2-1633\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1633","metadata":false},{"id":71561,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1634","catch_line":" Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund","url":"\/45.2-1634\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1634","metadata":false},{"id":86870,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1635","catch_line":" Expiration of permits","url":"\/45.2-1635\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1635","metadata":false},{"id":77799,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1636","catch_line":" Abandonment or cessation of well or corehole operation; plugging required","url":"\/45.2-1636\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1636","metadata":false},{"id":76183,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1637","catch_line":" Objections to permits; hearing","url":"\/45.2-1637\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1637","metadata":false},{"id":83420,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1638","catch_line":" Appeals of Director's decisions to the Board","url":"\/45.2-1638\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1638","metadata":false},{"id":84931,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1639","catch_line":" Persons required to register; designated agents","url":"\/45.2-1639\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1639","metadata":false},{"id":59598,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1640","catch_line":" Report of permitted activities and production required; contents","url":"\/45.2-1640\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1640","metadata":false},{"id":81636,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1641","catch_line":" Developing a gas or oil well as a water well","url":"\/45.2-1641\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1641","metadata":false},{"id":60443,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1642","catch_line":" Orphaned Well Fund; orphaned wells","url":"\/45.2-1642\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1642","metadata":false},{"id":78314,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1643","catch_line":" Interference by injection wells with groundwater supply","url":"\/45.2-1643\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1643","metadata":false},{"id":75577,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1644","catch_line":" Safety in coalbed methane gas, oil, and geophysical operations","url":"\/45.2-1644\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1644","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":67412,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1630","catch_line":" Powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Inspector","url":"\/45.2-1630\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1630","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1629\/","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 6 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; in 1996, chapter 854<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 228<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 277<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76594,"section_number":"45.2-1614","catch_line":" Additional duties and responsibilities of the Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1614\/"},{"id":81791,"section_number":"45.2-1620","catch_line":" Pooling of interests in drilling units","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1620\/"},{"id":85821,"section_number":"45.2-1626","catch_line":" Enforcement","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1626\/"},{"id":75577,"section_number":"45.2-1644","catch_line":" Safety in coalbed methane gas, oil, and geophysical operations","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1644\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":76144,"section_number":"45.2-1613","catch_line":" Meetings of the Board; notice; general powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1613\/"}],"permalink":{"id":224799,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58734,"identifier":"45.2-1629","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1629","url":"\/45.2-1629\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1629\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1629","dublin_core":{"Title":" Duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Director","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1629","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Director<\/span> shall adopt and enforce regulations and orders<\/span> necessary to ensure the safe and efficient development and production of gas<\/span> and oil<\/span> resources located in the Commonwealth. Such regulations and orders<\/span> shall be designed to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Prevent pollution of state waters<\/span> and require compliance with the water quality standards adopted by the State Water Control Board<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Protect against offsite disturbances<\/span> from gas<\/span>, oil<\/span>, or geophysical operations<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Ensure the restoration<\/span> of all sites disturbed by gas<\/span>, oil<\/span>, or geophysical operations<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Prevent the escape of the Commonwealth’s gas<\/span> and oil<\/span> resources; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Provide for safety in coal and mineral<\/span> mining and coalbed methane well<\/span> and related facility operations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Control wastes<\/span> from gas<\/span>, oil<\/span>, or geophysical operations<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Provide for the accurate measurement of gas<\/span> and oil<\/span> production and delivery to the first point of sale; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Protect the public safety and general welfare. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In adopting regulations and when issuing orders<\/span> for the enforcement of the provisions of this article, the Director<\/span> shall consider the following factors: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The protection of the citizens and environment of the Commonwealth from the public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and production of gas<\/span> or oil<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The means of ensuring the safe recovery of coal and other minerals<\/span> without substantially affecting the right of coal, minerals<\/span>, gas<\/span>, oil<\/span>, or geophysical operators<\/span> to explore for and produce coal, minerals<\/span>, gas<\/span>, or oil<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The protection of safety and health on permitted sites for coalbed methane wells<\/span> and related facilities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In adopting regulations and orders<\/span>, the Director<\/span> may set and enforce standards governing the following: gas<\/span> or oil<\/span> ground-disturbing geophysical exploration<\/span>; the development, drilling, casing, equipping, operating, and plugging of gas<\/span> or oil<\/span> production, storage, enhanced recovery<\/span>, or disposal wells<\/span>; the development, operation, and restoration<\/span> of site disturbances for wells, gathering pipelines<\/span>, and associated facilities; and gathering pipeline<\/span> safety. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Whenever the Director<\/span> determines that an emergency exists, he shall issue<\/span> an emergency order<\/span> without advance notice or hearing<\/span>. Such order<\/span> shall have the same validity as an order<\/span> issued with advance notice and hearing<\/span> but shall remain in force no longer than 30 days from its effective date. After issuing an emergency order<\/span>, the Director<\/span> shall promptly notify the public of the order<\/span> by publication and hold a public hearing<\/span> for the purposes of modifying, repealing, or making permanent the emergency order<\/span>. An emergency order<\/span> shall prevail as against a general regulation or order<\/span> when in conflict with it. Emergency orders<\/span> shall apply to gas<\/span>, oil<\/span>, or geophysical operations<\/span> and to particular fields, geographical areas, subject areas, subject matters, or situations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Director<\/span> also may: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Issue<\/span>, condition, and revoke permits; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Issue<\/span> notices of violation and orders<\/span> upon the violation of any provision of this chapter or regulation adopted thereunder; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Issue<\/span> closure orders<\/span> in cases of imminent danger to persons or damage to the environment or upon a history of violations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Require or forfeit bonds<\/span> or other financial securities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Prescribe the nature of and form for the presentation of any information or documentation required by any provision of this article or regulation adopted thereunder; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Maintain suit in the county or city where a violation has occurred or is threatened or wherever a person who has violated or threatens to violate any provision of this chapter is found in order<\/span> to restrain the actual or threatened violation; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> At reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter upon any property and take action as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Inspect and review all properties and records thereof as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Director<\/span> has no jurisdiction<\/span> to hear objections with respect to any matter subject to the jurisdiction<\/span> of the Board<\/span> as set out in Article 2 (§ 45.2-1613<\/a> et seq.). Such objections shall be referred to the Board<\/span> in a manner prescribed by the Director<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR (\u00a7 45.2-1629)\n\nA. The Director shall adopt and enforce regulations and orders necessary to\nensure the safe and efficient development and production of gas and oil\nresources located in the Commonwealth. Such regulations and orders shall be\ndesigned to:\n\n 1. Prevent pollution of state waters and require compliance with the water\n quality standards adopted by the State Water Control Board;\n\n 2. Protect against offsite disturbances from gas, oil, or geophysical\n operations;\n\n 3. Ensure the restoration of all sites disturbed by gas, oil, or geophysical\n operations;\n\n 4. Prevent the escape of the Commonwealth’s gas and oil resources;\n\n 5. Provide for safety in coal and mineral mining and coalbed methane well and\n related facility operations;\n\n 6. Control wastes from gas, oil, or geophysical operations;\n\n 7. Provide for the accurate measurement of gas and oil production and delivery\n to the first point of sale; and\n\n 8. Protect the public safety and general welfare.\n\nB. In adopting regulations and when issuing orders for the enforcement of the\nprovisions of this article, the Director shall consider the following factors:\n\n 1. The protection of the citizens and environment of the Commonwealth from the\n public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and\n production of gas or oil;\n\n 2. The means of ensuring the safe recovery of coal and other minerals without\n substantially affecting the right of coal, minerals, gas, oil, or geophysical\n operators to explore for and produce coal, minerals, gas, or oil; and\n\n 3. The protection of safety and health on permitted sites for coalbed methane\n wells and related facilities.\n\nC. In adopting regulations and orders, the Director may set and enforce\nstandards governing the following: gas or oil ground-disturbing geophysical\nexploration; the development, drilling, casing, equipping, operating, and\nplugging of gas or oil production, storage, enhanced recovery, or disposal\nwells; the development, operation, and restoration of site disturbances for\nwells, gathering pipelines, and associated facilities; and gathering pipeline\nsafety.\n\nD. Whenever the Director determines that an emergency exists, he shall issue an\nemergency order without advance notice or hearing. Such order shall have the\nsame validity as an order issued with advance notice and hearing but shall\nremain in force no longer than 30 days from its effective date. After issuing an\nemergency order, the Director shall promptly notify the public of the order by\npublication and hold a public hearing for the purposes of modifying, repealing,\nor making permanent the emergency order. An emergency order shall prevail as\nagainst a general regulation or order when in conflict with it. Emergency orders\nshall apply to gas, oil, or geophysical operations and to particular fields,\ngeographical areas, subject areas, subject matters, or situations.\n\nE. The Director also may:\n\n 1. Issue, condition, and revoke permits;\n\n 2. Issue notices of violation and orders upon the violation of any provision\n of this chapter or regulation adopted thereunder;\n\n 3. Issue closure orders in cases of imminent danger to persons or damage to\n the environment or upon a history of violations;\n\n 4. Require or forfeit bonds or other financial securities;\n\n 5. Prescribe the nature of and form for the presentation of any information or\n documentation required by any provision of this article or regulation adopted\n thereunder;\n\n 6. Maintain suit in the county or city where a violation has occurred or is\n threatened or wherever a person who has violated or threatens to violate any\n provision of this chapter is found in order to restrain the actual or\n threatened violation;\n\n 7. At reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter upon any\n property and take action as necessary to administer and enforce the provisions\n of this chapter; and\n\n 8. Inspect and review all properties and records thereof as necessary to\n administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.\n\nF. The Director has no jurisdiction to hear objections with respect to any\nmatter subject to the jurisdiction of the Board as set out in Article 2 (§\n45.2-1613 et seq.). Such objections shall be referred to the Board in a manner\nprescribed by the Director.\n\nHISTORY: 1982, c. 347, \u00a7\u00a7 45.1-315, 45.1-316, 45.1-317; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c.\n529; 1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.35; 1996, c. 854; 1998, c. 228; 2002, c. 277;\n2021, 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}}