(a) The people of the State of Oregon have a direct and primary interest in the development of geothermal resources situated in this state.
(b) The State of Oregon, through the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, shall control the drilling, redrilling and deepening of wells for the discovery and production of geothermal resources so that such wells will be constructed, operated, maintained, plugged and decommissioned in the manner necessary to safeguard the life, health, property and welfare of the people of this state, to safeguard the air, water and other natural resources of this state, and to encourage the maximum economic recovery of geothermal resources therefrom.
(2) It is the policy of the Legislative Assembly that this chapter be administered:
(a) To prevent damage to and waste of geothermal resources;
(b) To prevent interference with or damage to waters used or to be used for beneficial purposes that may result from improper drilling, operation, maintenance, plugging or decommissioning of geothermal or prospect wells;
(c) To supervise the drilling, operation, maintenance, plugging and decommissioning of geothermal or prospect wells in a manner permitting the operator to utilize all methods known to the industry for the purpose of increasing the ultimate economic recovery of geothermal resources, that are suitable, and consistent with protection of the air, water and other natural resources of the state; and
(d) To provide for the development, management and production of geothermal resources in a manner that minimizes state involvement, enhances resource recovery, prevents waste, maximizes economic development and protects correlative rights of the resource owners. [Formerly 522.050; 1981 c.588 §4; 2009 c.794 §2]
Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 14 - Drugs and Alcohol, Fire Protection, Natural Resources
Chapter 522 - Geothermal Resources
Section 522.005 - Definitions.
Section 522.019 - Injection of geothermal fluids; rules; water quality permit.
Section 522.025 - Application.
Section 522.055 - Permit; application; fees.
Section 522.075 - Bond or security; conditions; cancellation.
Section 522.080 - Operator liability.
Section 522.115 - Permit; application; fees.
Section 522.125 - Circulation of application to state agencies; suggested conditions to permit.
Section 522.135 - Permit; time limit for action; grounds for issuance; conditions; fees.
Section 522.145 - Bond or security; conditions; cancellation.
Section 522.155 - Liability for failure to protect ground water and surface water; rules.
Section 522.165 - Request for permit modification; fee.
Section 522.175 - Plugging and decommissioning; rules.
Section 522.225 - Notice of intent to plug and decommission.
Section 522.255 - Resolution of conflicts between geothermal and water uses.
Section 522.325 - Compliance with final order; appeal.
Section 522.355 - Records of well; contents; drill cutting and core samples.
Section 522.365 - Filing record with department; exemption from disclosure.
Section 522.405 - Unitization; development of unit agreement; rules.
Section 522.415 - Unit operation plan.
Section 522.425 - Provisions in rule or order requiring unit operation.
Section 522.445 - Condition to effectiveness of unitization plan and unit agreement.
Section 522.455 - Rehearing on rule or order; judicial review.
Section 522.475 - Board review of disputes over unit operation; appeal.
Section 522.485 - Amendment of unitization plan.
Section 522.505 - Unauthorized operation in unit area prohibited; exemption.
Section 522.515 - When agreement or plan held not to violate state securities or trade law.
Section 522.525 - Land subject to board authority; federal lands.
Section 522.535 - Fees; rules.
Section 522.545 - Rulemaking authority.
Section 522.815 - Rules by board; scope; adoption; notice.
Section 522.915 - False entries, omissions, destruction or removal of records or reports.