RCW 78.52.210
Development units—Size and shape.
(1) The size and the shape of any development units shall be such as will result in the efficient and economical development of the pool as a whole, and the size shall not be smaller than the maximum area that can be efficiently and economically drained by one well as determined by competent geological, geophysical, engineering, drilling, or other scientific testimony, data, and evidence. The department shall fix a development unit of not more than one hundred sixty acres for any pool deemed by the department to be an oil reservoir, or of six hundred forty acres for any pool deemed by the department to be a gas reservoir, plus a ten percent tolerance in either case to allow for irregular sections. The department may, at its discretion, after notice and hearing, establish development units for oil and gas in variance of these limitations when competent geological, geophysical, engineering, drilling, or other scientific testimony, data, and evidence is presented and upon a finding that one well can efficiently and economically drain a larger or smaller area and is justified because of technical, economic, environmental, or safety considerations.
(2) The department may establish development units of different sizes or shapes for different parts of a pool or may grant exceptions to the size or shapes of any development unit or units. Where development units of different sizes or shapes exist in a pool, the department shall, if necessary, make such adjustments to the allowable production from the well or wells drilled thereon so that each operator in each development unit will have a reasonable opportunity to produce or receive his or her just and equitable share of the production.
[ 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 828; 1983 c 253 § 14; 1951 c 146 § 23.]
NOTES:
Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 78 - Mines, Minerals, and Petroleum
Chapter 78.52 - Oil and Gas Conservation.
78.52.001 - Declaration of purpose.
78.52.025 - Hearings and meetings of department.
78.52.030 - Employment of personnel.
78.52.031 - Conduct of hearings—Evidence.
78.52.032 - Hearing examiners.
78.52.033 - Failure of witness to attend or testify—Contempt.
78.52.035 - Attorney for department.
78.52.037 - State oil and gas supervisor—Deputy supervisors—Employment of personnel.
78.52.040 - Duty and powers of department—In general.
78.52.050 - Rules, regulations, and orders—Time and place of hearing—Notices.
78.52.070 - Hearing upon petition—Time for action.
78.52.100 - Records—Copies as evidence—Copies to be furnished.
78.52.120 - Drilling permit required—Notice.
78.52.140 - Carbon black and carbon products—Permit required.
78.52.150 - Investigations authorized.
78.52.155 - Investigations—Powers and duties.
78.52.200 - Development units authorized for known pools.
78.52.205 - Development units to be prescribed for pool after discovery—Temporary development units.
78.52.210 - Development units—Size and shape.
78.52.220 - Development units—Location of well.
78.52.230 - Development units—Order must cover entire pool—Modifications.
78.52.240 - Development units—Pooling of interests.
78.52.245 - Pooling order—Allocation of production.
78.52.250 - Pooled interests in well in development unit—Allocation of costs—Rights of owners.
78.52.260 - "Wildcat" or "exploratory" well data confidential.
78.52.270 - Limitation of production to "oil allowable"—Proration.
78.52.280 - Determining market demand—No undue discrimination in proration of "allowable."
78.52.290 - Limitation of production to "gas allowable"—Proration.
78.52.300 - Limitation of gas production from one pool.
78.52.310 - Proration of allowable production in pool—Publication of orders—Emergency orders.
78.52.320 - Compliance with limitation or proration required.
78.52.330 - Unit operation of separately owned tracts.
78.52.335 - Unit operation of pools.
78.52.345 - Ratable purchase of oil from owners or operators of pool required.
78.52.355 - Ratable purchase of gas from owners or operators of pool required.
78.52.365 - Enforcement of RCW 78.52.345 and 78.52.355.
78.52.450 - Participation of public lands in unit plan.
78.52.460 - Unit plan not deemed monopolistic.
78.52.463 - Suspension of operations for violation—Notice—Order—Hearing—Stay of order.
78.52.470 - Objections to order—Hearing required—Modification of order.
78.52.480 - Appeal from order or decision—Rights of department.
78.52.530 - Violations—Injunctions.
78.52.540 - Violations—Injunctions by private party.
78.52.550 - Violations—Penalty.