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2001 SESSION

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HB 2854 Gas and Oil Act; coalbed methane gas wells.

Introduced by: Jackie T. Stump | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Gas and Oil Act; coalbed methane gas wells. Provides that a coal owner who objects to the location of a coalbed methane gas well may designate an alternate location for the well within the same drilling unit or leasehold interest of a coalbed methane gas well operator. The Virginia Gas and Oil Board shall determine the reasonableness of any objections to the alternate location raised by other affected coal owners. The bill also provides that a coal owner and a coalbed methane gas well operator may agree on the posting of a bond before the well is operated for any damage caused by the stimulation of a coal seam. If the coal owner and the well operator have a dispute regarding the stimulation of a coal seam, the dispute shall be referred to an arbitration panel consisting of a representative appointed by the coal owner, a representative of the well operator, and an arbitrator appointed by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. The decision of the arbitration panel shall be issued within 60 days of the submission of the dispute to arbitration and the decision shall be binding on the parties. The bill contains a sunset date of July 1, 2003, and a requirement that the Department evaluate the success of the provisions of this act and report its findings to the chairmen of House Committee on Mining and Mineral Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2002.


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