(a) A person who is the owner or operator of any gas well may not willfully take gas from the well unless the gas is metered by a standard metering system. The cleaning or blowing of a well is not construed as a “taking” within the meaning of this section. If any person or operator producing gas from any well violates the terms of this section, the person’s or operator’s interest in the lease under which the well is being produced shall be void and subject to cancellation at the suit of the owners of the royalty interest in the leased premises on which the violation occurs.
(b) The Department shall inspect, read, or test any meters, through which natural gas is being measured upon the request of any lessor, lessee, operator, or royalty owner from whose land, lease, or royalty interest, natural gas is being produced.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Section 14-101 - Legislative Findings
Section 14-103 - Authority of Department to Adopt Rules and Regulations
Section 14-105 - Drilling Well and Disposing of Well's Products -- Application for Permit
Section 14-106 - Drilling Well and Disposing of Well's Products -- Bifurcation of Process
Section 14-107.1 - Hydraulic Fracturing Prohibited
Section 14-108 - Drilling Well and Disposing of Well's Products -- Denial of Permit
Section 14-109 - Seismic Operations; Permit Required; Use of Explosives
Section 14-110 - Conditions on Permits
Section 14-110.1 - Presumptive Impact Areas Around Gas Wells
Section 14-111 - Duties of Permittee
Section 14-112 - Location of Wells
Section 14-113 - Payment of Royalties When Leased Land Included Under Unit Agreement
Section 14-114 - Rules, Regulations, and Orders of Department
Section 14-117 - Appeal From Department's Decisions
Section 14-119 - Gas to Be Metered
Section 14-121 - Inspection of Coalbed Methane Production