Author: Mary Jo Mitts
Last saved by: Barbara Rogers
Company: Oklahoma State Senate

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 78	By:	Bingman

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to oil and gas; stating legislative intent; creating the "Horizontal Well Development Act"; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
The Legislature finds that advances in horizontal drilling techniques for wells drilled and completed in various formations in Oklahoma have advanced beyond the historical statutory spacing scheme found in Section 87.1, 87.6 through 87.9 and Sections 287.1 through 287.15 of Title 52 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  The Corporation Commission, as the agency charged with the protection of the correlative rights of those owning oil and gas interests in this state, the prevention of waste and the promotion of development of these Oklahoma resources, is constrained in its ability to adequately accomplish these goals by the limitations placed upon it by existing statutes.  In order to prevent waste, better protect the correlative rights of the owners of oil and gas mineral interests and harmonize the historical regulatory scheme of our state with the expanding technology of drilling and completing horizontal wells in this state, the Legislature finds it necessary to modify the oil and gas regulatory scheme in Oklahoma as set forth in this act by creating the "Horizontal Well Development Act".
SECTION 2.     It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

54-1-1108	MJM	1/4/2013 10:09:14 AM

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