West Virginia Code
Article 6A. Natural Gas Horizontal Well Control Act
§22-6A-3. Applicability; Exceptions

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, the provisions of this article shall apply to any natural gas well, other than a coalbed methane well, drilled using a horizontal drilling method, and which disturbs three acres or more of surface, excluding pipelines, gathering lines and roads, or utilizes more than two hundred ten thousand gallons of water in any thirty day period: Provided, That this article does not apply to or affect any well work permitted for a horizontal well or orders issued regarding horizontal wells or permit applications pending prior to the effective date of this article: Provided, however, That this article shall not apply to or affect any rights bargained for in any agreement between a surface owner and operator made prior to the effective date of this article.

Structure West Virginia Code

West Virginia Code

Chapter 22. Environmental Resources

Article 6A. Natural Gas Horizontal Well Control Act

§22-6A-1. Short Title

§22-6A-2. Legislative Findings; Declaration of Public Policy

§22-6A-3. Applicability; Exceptions

§22-6A-3a. Karst Terrain; Rulemaking

§22-6A-4. Definitions

§22-6A-5. Application of Article Six of This Chapter to Horizontal Wells Subject to This Article

§22-6A-6. Secretary of Department of Environmental Protection; Powers and Duties

§22-6A-7. Horizontal Well Permit Required; Permit Fee; Application; Soil Erosion Control Plan; Well Site Safety Plan; Site Construction Plan; Water Management Plan; Permit Fee; Installation of Permit Number; Suspension and Transfer of a Permit

§22-6A-7a. Modifications of Permits

§22-6A-8. Review of Application; Issuance of Permit; Performance Standards; Copy of Permits to County Assessor

§22-6A-9. Certificate of Approval Required for Large Pits or Impoundment Construction; Certificate of Approval and Annual Registration Fees; Application Required to Obtain Certificate; Term of Certificate; Revocation or Suspension of Certificates; Ap...

§22-6A-10. Notice to Property Owners

§22-6A-10a. Method of Delivery of Notice

§22-6A-11. Procedure for Filing Written Comments; Procedures for Considering Objections and Comments; Issues to Be Considered; and Newspaper Notice

§22-6A-12. Well Location Restrictions

§22-6A-13. Plugging of Horizontal Wells

§22-6A-14. Reclamation Requirements

§22-6A-15. Performance Bonds; Corporate Surety or Other Security

§22-6A-16. Compensation of Surface Owners for Drilling Operations

§22-6A-17. Reimbursement of Property Taxes of Encumbered Properties

§22-6A-18. Civil Action for Contamination or Deprivation of Fresh Water Source or Supply; Presumption; Water Rights and Replacement; Waiver of Replacement

§22-6A-19. Offenses; Civil and Criminal Penalties

§22-6A-20. Division of Highways Certification

§22-6A-21. Establishment of Public Website Information and Electronic Notification Registry Regarding Horizontal Well Permit Applications

§22-6A-22. Air Quality Study and Rulemaking

§22-6A-23. Impoundment and Pit Safety Study; Rulemaking

§22-6A-24. Casing and Cement Standards