                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 CONSTRUCTION; PURPOSES (§ 45.2-1602)

The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate
the following purposes:

1. To foster, encourage, and promote the safe and efficient exploration for and
development, production, utilization, and conservation of the
Commonwealth&#8217;s gas and oil resources;

2. To provide a method of gas and oil conservation for maximizing exploration,
development, production, and utilization of gas and oil resources;

3. To recognize and protect the rights of any person owning an interest in gas
or oil resources contained within a pool;

4. To ensure the safe recovery of coal and other minerals;

5. To maximize the production and recovery of coal without substantially
affecting the right of a gas or oil owner proposing to drill a gas or oil well
to explore for and produce gas or oil;

6. To protect the citizens and the environment of the Commonwealth from the
public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and
production of gas or oil; and

7. To recognize that the use of the surface for gas or oil development shall be
only the use that is reasonably necessary to obtain the gas or oil.

HISTORY: 1982, c. 347, § 45.1-290; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.3; 2021, Sp. Sess.
I, c. 387.