{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1633.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1633.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1633.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1633.html"}],"law_id":71051,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71051,"structure_id":15425,"section_number":"45.2-1633","catch_line":" Bonding and financial security required","history":"1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.31; 2019, c. 351; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nTo ensure compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to permitted activities and the furnishing of reports and other information required by the Board or Director, each permit applicant shall give bond with surety acceptable to the Director and payable to the Commonwealth. At the election of the permit applicant, a cash bond may be given. The amount of the bond required shall be sufficient to cover the costs of properly plugging the well and restoring the site but in no case shall the amount of the bond be less than $10,000 per well plus $2,000 per acre of disturbed land, calculated to the nearest tenth of an acre. Each bond shall remain in force until released by the Director. The Director may require additional bond or financial security for any well proposed to be drilled in Tidewater Virginia.B\n\nUpon receipt of an application for multiple permits for gas or oil operations and at the request of the permit applicant, the Director may, in lieu of requiring a separate bond for each permit, require a blanket bond. The amount of the blanket bond shall be as follows:1\n\nFor one to 10 wells, $25,000.2\n\nFor 11 to 50 wells, $50,000.3\n\nFor 51 to 200 wells, $100,000.4\n\nFor more than 200 wells, $200,000.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of calculating blanket bond amounts, from one-tenth of an acre to five acres of disturbed land for a separately permitted gathering pipeline shall be equivalent to one well. The Director shall adopt regulations for the release of acreage used to calculate blanket bond amounts for separately permitted gathering pipelines in cases where sites have been stabilized.C\n\nAny gas or oil operator who elects to post a blanket bond shall pay into the Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund those fees and assessments required under the provisions of § 45.2-1634.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":256167,"text":"To ensure compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to permitted activities and the furnishing of reports and other information required by the Board or Director, each permit applicant shall give bond with surety acceptable to the Director and payable to the Commonwealth. At the election of the permit applicant, a cash bond may be given. The amount of the bond required shall be sufficient to cover the costs of properly plugging the well and restoring the site but in no case shall the amount of the bond be less than $10,000 per well plus $2,000 per acre of disturbed land, calculated to the nearest tenth of an acre. Each bond shall remain in force until released by the Director. The Director may require additional bond or financial security for any well proposed to be drilled in Tidewater Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":256168,"text":"Upon receipt of an application for multiple permits for gas or oil operations and at the request of the permit applicant, the Director may, in lieu of requiring a separate bond for each permit, require a blanket bond. The amount of the blanket bond shall be as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":256169,"text":"For one to 10 wells, $25,000.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":256170,"text":"For 11 to 50 wells, $50,000.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":256171,"text":"For 51 to 200 wells, $100,000.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":256172,"text":"For more than 200 wells, $200,000.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of calculating blanket bond amounts, from one-tenth of an acre to five acres of disturbed land for a separately permitted gathering pipeline shall be equivalent to one well. The Director shall adopt regulations for the release of acreage used to calculate blanket bond amounts for separately permitted gathering pipelines in cases where sites have been stabilized.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":256173,"text":"Any gas or oil operator who elects to post a blanket bond shall pay into the Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund those fees and assessments required under the provisions of § 45.2-1634.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B4"}},"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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1633\/","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 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2019, chapter 351<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71561,"section_number":"45.2-1634","catch_line":" Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1634\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":71561,"section_number":"45.2-1634","catch_line":" Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1634\/"}],"permalink":{"id":224815,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71051,"identifier":"45.2-1633","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1633","url":"\/45.2-1633\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1633\/","token":"45.2\/IV\/16\/3\/45.2-1633","dublin_core":{"Title":" Bonding and financial security required","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1633","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> To ensure compliance with all laws<\/span> and regulations pertaining to permitted activities and the furnishing of reports and other information required by the Board<\/span> or Director<\/span>, each permit applicant shall give bond<\/span> with surety<\/span> acceptable to the Director<\/span> and payable to the Commonwealth. At the election of the permit applicant, a cash bond<\/span> may be given. The amount of the bond<\/span> required shall be sufficient to cover the costs of properly plugging the well<\/span> and restoring the site but in no case shall the amount of the bond<\/span> be less than $10,000 per well<\/span> plus $2,000 per acre of disturbed land, calculated to the nearest tenth of an acre. Each bond<\/span> shall remain in force until released by the Director<\/span>. The Director<\/span> may require additional bond<\/span> or financial security for any well<\/span> proposed to be drilled in Tidewater Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon receipt of an application for multiple permits for gas or oil operations<\/span> and at the request of the permit applicant, the Director<\/span> may, in lieu of requiring a separate bond<\/span> for each permit, require a blanket bond<\/span>. The amount of the blanket bond<\/span> shall be as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> For one to 10 wells<\/span>, $25,000. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> For 11 to 50 wells<\/span>, $50,000. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> For 51 to 200 wells<\/span>, $100,000. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> For more than 200 wells<\/span>, $200,000.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of calculating blanket bond<\/span> amounts, from one-tenth of an acre to five acres of disturbed land for a separately permitted gathering pipeline<\/span> shall be equivalent to one well<\/span>. The Director<\/span> shall adopt regulations for the release of acreage used to calculate blanket bond<\/span> amounts for separately permitted gathering pipelines<\/span> in cases where sites have been stabilized. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any gas or oil operator<\/span> who elects to post a blanket bond<\/span> shall pay into the Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration<\/span> Fund those fees and assessments required under the provisions of § 45.2-1634<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n BONDING AND FINANCIAL SECURITY REQUIRED (\u00a7 45.2-1633)\n\nA. To ensure compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to permitted\nactivities and the furnishing of reports and other information required by the\nBoard or Director, each permit applicant shall give bond with surety acceptable\nto the Director and payable to the Commonwealth. At the election of the permit\napplicant, a cash bond may be given. The amount of the bond required shall be\nsufficient to cover the costs of properly plugging the well and restoring the\nsite but in no case shall the amount of the bond be less than $10,000 per well\nplus $2,000 per acre of disturbed land, calculated to the nearest tenth of an\nacre. Each bond shall remain in force until released by the Director. The\nDirector may require additional bond or financial security for any well proposed\nto be drilled in Tidewater Virginia.\n\nB. Upon receipt of an application for multiple permits for gas or oil operations\nand at the request of the permit applicant, the Director may, in lieu of\nrequiring a separate bond for each permit, require a blanket bond. The amount of\nthe blanket bond shall be as follows:\n\n 1. For one to 10 wells, $25,000.\n\n 2. For 11 to 50 wells, $50,000.\n\n 3. For 51 to 200 wells, $100,000.\n\n 4. For more than 200 wells, $200,000.\n \t\t\t\tFor purposes of calculating blanket bond amounts, from one-tenth of an\n acre to five acres of disturbed land for a separately permitted gathering\n pipeline shall be equivalent to one well. The Director shall adopt regulations\n for the release of acreage used to calculate blanket bond amounts for\n separately permitted gathering pipelines in cases where sites have been\n stabilized.\n\nC. Any gas or oil operator who elects to post a blanket bond shall pay into the\nGas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund those fees and assessments required\nunder the provisions of § 45.2-1634.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 92, \u00a7 45.1-361.31; 2019, c. 351; 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}}