(2) The department may authorize an operator to suspend for a specific period operations or remove equipment from an uncompleted geothermal well upon such terms as the department may specify, upon written application of the operator and an affidavit showing good cause therefor.
(3) Within a period of six months from the ending date specified for such suspension, the operator may make written application for an extension of suspension and file it with an affidavit showing good cause for such an extension. Upon a finding that the extension is merited, the governing board of the department may extend the suspension for an additional specific period.
(4) If, after suspension, operations are not resumed by the operator within six months from the ending date specified for the suspension or extension thereof, an intention to abandon and unlawful abandonment shall be presumed.
(5) Whenever an operator whose operations have been suspended fails to comply with such terms as the department may specify in its authorization, the geothermal well shall be presumed unlawfully abandoned. A well shall also be deemed unlawfully abandoned, if, without notice to the department, any drilling or producing equipment is removed.
(6) An unlawful abandonment shall be declared by order of the board, and written notice thereof shall be mailed by registered mail or by certified mail with return receipt both to such operator at the last-known post-office address of the operator, to the registered agent of the operator, if any, and to the operator’s sureties.
(7) After declaration of unlawful abandonment, the board may proceed against the operator and the surety of the operator as provided for in ORS 522.145 and may bring suit pursuant to ORS 522.810 or take any other enforcement or recovery action authorized by law. [1975 c.552 §16; 1981 c.694 §9; 1991 c.249 §39; 2009 c.794 §19]
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.