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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>60521</law_id><section_number>45.2-1617</section_number><catch_line> Voluntary pooling of interests in drilling units; validity of unit agreements</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="IV">Gas and Oil</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="16">Virginia Gas and Oil Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Gas and Oil Conservation</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If two or more separately owned tracts are embraced within a <span class="dictionary">drilling unit</span>, or if there are separately owned interests in all or a part of any such <span class="dictionary">drilling unit</span>, the <span class="dictionary">gas or oil owners</span> owning such interests may <span class="dictionary">pool</span> their interests for the development and operation of the <span class="dictionary">drilling unit</span> by voluntary agreement. Such agreement may be based on the exercise of pooling rights or rights to establish <span class="dictionary">drilling units</span> that are granted in any gas or oil lease. <a id="paragraph-221284" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1617/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No voluntary pooling agreement between or among <span class="dictionary">gas or oil owners</span> shall be held to violate the statutory or <span class="dictionary">common law</span> of the Commonwealth that prohibits monopolies or acts, arrangements, <span class="dictionary">contracts</span>, combinations, or conspiracies in restraint of trade or commerce. <a id="paragraph-221285" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1617/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1982, c. 347, &#xA7; 45.1-302; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92, &#xA7; 45.1-361.18; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
