What are the legal requirements for drilling an oil or gas well?

In Georgia, drilling an oil or gas well requires obtaining a permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. The permit must be obtained prior to any drilling activity taking place. The applicant must provide information about the proposed well, including its proposed location, type of well, and the purpose for drilling. There are laws in place that limit the amount of acreage that a single oil or gas well can cover. For example, in Georgia a single oil well is restricted to a maximum of 10 acres. The permit application must also include an Environmental Assessment Statement from the applicant explaining how the proposed oil or gas well will remain in compliance with the existing environmental laws and regulations. This includes an assessment of any potential water contamination from the proposed drilling. Additionally, if the proposed drilling is located within a few miles of a public freshwater lake or stream, then a wastewater management plan must be filed with the permit application. This plan explains the type of waste that will be produced during the drilling process and how it will be properly disposed of. Finally, prior to drilling an oil or gas well, the applicant must also purchase a bond that protects the state against any environmental damages caused by the drilling. This bond is designed to pay for any clean up and restoration efforts that might be necessary as a result of the drilling.

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What are the legal requirements for drilling an oil or gas well?

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