HLS 14RS-3140 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 102
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
MINERALS: Urges and requests the commissioner of conservation to review the rules and
regulations governing plugging and abandonment of wells
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the office of conservation, Department of Natural Resources, to study2
and review the statutes and the department's rules, regulations, and orders providing3
for the plugging and abandonment of wells.4
WHEREAS, orphan wells are abandoned oil and gas wells for which no viable5
responsible party can be located, or the responsible party has failed to maintain the wellsite6
in accordance with rules and regulations and it is for such wells the Department of Natural7
Resources created the Louisiana Oilfield Site Restoration Program to address unrestored8
orphaned oilfield sites; and9
WHEREAS, while the vast majority of the original three thousand wells placed on10
the orphan well list have been addressed since 1993, the department currently lists just under11
an additional three thousand sites as orphan wells; and12
WHEREAS, R.S. 30:4 authorizes the commissioner of conservation to ". . . require13
the plugging of each dry and abandoned well and the closure of associated pits, the removal14
of equipment, structures, and trash, and to otherwise require a general site cleanup. . ." along15
with the authority to require a reasonable bond for the performance of such requirements;16
and17
WHEREAS, reducing the number of wells placed on the orphan well list is desirable18
and a benefit to the department, the regulated community, the citizens, and the environment;19
and20 HLS 14RS-3140 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 102
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WHEREAS, increasing the number of wells properly plugged and abandoned while1
a responsible party for the site still exists or has the means to maintain the site may be2
accomplished through changes in the regulatory structure; and3
WHEREAS, areas of the regulatory structure that are appropriate for review include4
the circumstances for exemptions from financial security requirements and for allowing5
wells to remain unplugged on the basis of the future utility of the well.6
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby7
urge and request the office of conservation, Department of Natural Resources, to study and8
review the statutes and department's rules, regulations, and orders providing for the plugging9
and abandonment of wells in an effort to identify improvements and efficiencies in the10
regulatory structure, particularly exemptions from financial security requirements and11
determining the status of future utility wells, to ensure the proper closure of wellsites and12
ultimately reduce the number of orphan wellsites.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner of conservation, on the basis14
of the study and review, is hereby requested to initiate rule making or issue any orders15
necessary to implement such improvements or efficiencies pursuant to current statutory16
authority and to make recommendations for any necessary statutory changes to the House17
Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and to the Senate Committee on Natural18
Resource on or before March 1, 2015.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted20
the commissioner of conservation.21
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Johnson HCR No. 102
Urges and requests the office of conservation, Department of Natural Resources, to study
and review the statutes and the department's rules, regulations, and orders providing for the
plugging and abandonment of wells.