DOG began permitting all oil and gas related wells at that time. Groundwater protection regulations began in 1978 through an administrative regulation for protection of freshwater zones. Bonding requirements and penalty provisions were established in 1966 and increased in 1990. Oil and gas are produced from more than 1,500 pools in Kentucky from rocks of Cambrian to Pennsylvanian age. Most oil is produced from Mississippian limestone and sandstone in Eastern and Western Kentucky or from Ordovician limestone and dolomites in Southern Kentucky.
Most natural gas is produced from the Devonian black shale in Eastern Kentucky.
The Division of Oil and Gas has developed a well history database for each well that can be utilized daily. At present, there are approximately 84,997 wells stored on-line for which we have data relative to the permit, operator, well location, pertinent dates and well completion. Available to the public is a weekly publication of permits issued identifying the permit number, operator name, farm name, county, Carter Coordinates, and target formation. This information is updated weekly on the link below. During 2000, the Division issued 1062 permits primarily for new wells, but also includes permits for the deepening or reopening of existing wells.