                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD (§ 45.2-1614)

A. In executing its duties under this chapter, the Board shall:

   1. Foster, encourage, and promote the safe and efficient exploration for and
   development, production, and conservation of gas and oil resources located in
   the Commonwealth;

   2. Administer a method of gas and oil conservation for the purpose of
   maximizing exploration, development, production, and utilization of gas and
   oil resources;

   3. Administer procedures for the recognition and protection of the rights of
   gas or oil owners with interests in gas or oil resources contained within a
   pool;

   4. Promote the maximum production and recovery of coal without substantially
   affecting the right of a gas owner proposing a gas well to explore for and
   produce gas; and

   5. Hear and decide appeals of the Director&#8217;s decisions and orders issued
   under Article 3 (&#xA7; 45.2-1629 et seq.).

B. Without limiting its general authority, the Board has the specific authority
to issue regulations or orders pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative
Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) in order to:

   1. Prevent waste through the design, spacing, or unitization of wells, pools,
   or fields.

   2. Protect correlative rights.

   3. Enter spacing and pooling orders.

   4. Establish drilling units.

   5. Establish maximum allowable production rates for the prevention of waste
   and the protection of correlative rights.

   6. Provide for the maximum recovery of coal.

   7. Classify pools and wells as gas, oil, gas and oil, or coalbed methane gas.

   8. Collect data, make investigations and inspections, examine property,
   leases, papers, books, and records, and require or provide for the keeping of
   records and the making of reports.

   9. Set application fees.

   10. Govern practices and procedures before the Board.

   11. Require additional data from parties to any hearing.

   12. Take actions reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this
   chapter.

HISTORY: 1982, c. 347, § 45.1-296; 1987, c. 452; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.15;
2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.