Press release, 'North Dakota Industrial Commission authorizes Department of Mineral Resources to confiscate abandoned wells in North Dakota' (June 19, 2020)

The record

Jurisdiction

North Dakota

Level

Sector regulator

Authority

N.D.C.C. § 38-08-04.9 (abandoned well plugging and site reclamation); CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund appropriation approved by the Emergency Commission and Budget Section (May 2020)

Issued

2020-06-19 June 19, 2020

Effective

2020-06-19

End

Program through 2020-2021 (read as 2020-12-31)

In force

June 19, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020

Quarters

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q4

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Other

Addressees

• operators of the abandoned wells; plugging and reclamation contractors

Functions reached

• SV (plugging and reclamation work redirected by the State)
• EX
• WF (the program's stated purpose of putting idled oilfield workers to work)

Collection

Mining, Oil and Gas, and Energy Services SEC-23

Operative words

The North Dakota Industrial Commission today approved orders from the Department of Mineral Resources to confiscate abandoned wells in North Dakota. A hearing was held on June 10 to review and consider confiscation and plugging of over 350 wells in the state. At the hearing more than 70 additional wells were [added]. The Industrial Commission secured approval in May from the North Dakota Emergency Commission and legislative Budget Section of $33.2 million in federal CARES Act coronavirus relief funds.

Enforcement

Notes