2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 89
BY SENATORS ALLAIN AND WALSWORTH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To establish a task force to study the performance audit on the regulation of oil and gas
wells and management of orphaned wells.
WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry is a vital part of Louisiana's economy; and
WHEREAS, effective regulation is important for efficient operation of the industry,
reducing environmental and public safety risks, preventing the contamination of ground and
surface water, and preventing operators from abandoning their wells; and
WHEREAS, in May 2014, the Louisiana legislative auditor released a performance
audit analyzing the oil and gas regulatory program, which is administered by the office of
conservation, Department of Natural Resources; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the performance audit was to determine whether the
office of conservation regulates oil and gas wells effectively to ensure operators comply with
regulations and to evaluate whether the office of conservation has managed the number of
orphaned wells effectively in the state; and
WHEREAS, establishing a task force of stakeholders and experts is an important first
step in analyzing and achieving the goals outlined in the report.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
establish a task force to address the issues outlined in the performance audit and any current
and proposed rules promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources relative to the
financial security for the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells and determinations
of future utility, and to report its findings to the legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
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(1) The chairman of the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission or his designee.
(2) The commissioner of conservation or his designee.
(3) The president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association or his
designee.
(4) The president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association or his designee.
(5) The executive director of the Louisiana Landowners Association, Inc. or his
designee.
(6) The Louisiana legislative auditor or his designee.
(7) One member of the Louisiana State Senate, appointed by the president.
(8) One member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the
speaker.
(9) One member, chosen by the chairman of the Oilfield Site Restoration
Commission, from those companies listed as an operator of record with the office of
conservation for the greatest number of inactive wells no longer producing oil and gas.
(10) One member, selected by the board of directors of the Sierra Club. If the Sierra
Club fails to name a member within thirty days of the filing of this Resolution with the
Secretary of State, the chairman of the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission shall notify The
Nature Conservancy and request that the conservancy shall name a member to be named
within thirty days of such notification.
(11) One member to be named by the Louisiana Association of Business and
Industry.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of the constituent organization.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the task force and any official action by the task force shall require
an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present when voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as necessary and shall
report its findings to the legislature no later than February 1, 2016, and shall terminate upon
the date of submission of such report or on February 1, 2016, whichever comes first.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, the commissioner of conservation, the
director of the Louisiana Mineral Law Institute, the president of the Louisiana
Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas
Association, the executive director of the Louisiana Landowners Association, the Louisiana
legislative auditor, the board of directors of the Sierra Club, and the executive director of the
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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