reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 45.2-1606 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1606. (Effective October 1, 2021) Confidentiality

The Director shall hold confidential all logs, surveys, and reports relating to the drilling, completion, and testing of a well that are filed by a gas or oil operator under this chapter for a period of 90 days after the completion of the well or 18 months after the total depth of the well has been reached, whichever occurs first. Upon receipt of a gas, oil, or geophysical operator's written request, the Director shall hold confidential such information concerning an exploratory well or corehole for a period of two years after completion of the well or four years from the date such well or hole reaches total depth, whichever occurs first. The Director, for good cause shown by the gas, oil, or geophysical operator, may annually extend the period of time for which information regarding exploratory drilling is held confidential. However, the Director shall upon request provide a copy of any survey or log for strata through the lowest coal seam to the coal owner.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.6; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1607 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1607. (Effective October 1, 2021) Expenditure of funds

All funds, except civil penalties collected pursuant to § 45.2-1608, collected by or appropriated to the Department pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be expended only for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.7; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1608 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1608. (Effective October 1, 2021) Violations; penalties

A. Any person who violates or refuses, fails, or neglects to comply with any regulation or order of the Board, Director, or Inspector, any condition of a permit, or any provision of this chapter is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.B. In addition, any person who violates any regulation or order of the Board, Director, or Inspector, any condition of a permit, or any provision of this chapter shall upon such finding by an appropriate circuit court be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day of such violation. All civil penalties under this section shall be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General in the name of the Commonwealth. The court shall direct that all civil penalties assessed under this section be paid into the treasury of the county or city where the gas, oil, or geophysical operation determined by the court to be in violation is located.C. The Board, with the consent of the gas, oil, or geophysical operator, may provide in an order issued by the Board against such operator for the payment of civil penalties for past violations in specific sums not to exceed the limit specified in subsection B. Such civil penalties shall be instead of any appropriate civil penalty that could be imposed under this section and shall not be subject to the provisions of § 2.2-514. Civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the treasury of the county or city where the gas, oil, or geophysical operation subject to the order issued by the Board is located.1982, c. 347, §§ 45.1-358, 45.1-360; 1984, c. 590; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.8; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1609 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1609. (Effective October 1, 2021) Appeals; venue; standing

A. Any order or decision of the Board may be appealed to the appropriate circuit court. Whenever a coal owner, coal operator, gas owner, gas operator, or operator of a gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission is a party in such action, the court shall hear such appeal de novo. The court has the power to enter interlocutory orders as necessary to protect the rights of all interested parties pending a final decision.B. Unless the parties otherwise agree, the venue for court review shall be the county or city where the gas, oil, or geophysical operation that is the subject of such order or decision is located.C. The Director and all parties required to be given notice of hearings of the Board pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1618 shall have standing to appeal any order or decision of the Board that directly affects them. The permittee or permit applicant, the Director, and those parties with standing to object pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1632 shall have standing to appeal any order or decision of the Board that directly affects them. However, except for an aggrieved permit applicant or the Director, no person shall have standing to appeal a decision of the Board concerning a permit application unless such person has previously filed an objection with the Director pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1637. The filing of any petition for appeal concerning the issuance of a new permit that was objected to pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1611 or 45.2-1612 or by a gas storage field operator who asserts that the proposed well work will adversely affect the operation of a gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission shall automatically stay the permit until such stay is dissolved or the appeal is decided by the circuit court. However, in an appeal by a gas storage field operator, such automatic stay shall not apply to an oil, gas, or coalbed methane well completed more than 100 feet above the cap rock above the storage stratum.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.9; 1997, c. 759; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1610 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1610. (Effective October 1, 2021) Copy of lease to lessor

Any person who, as either principal or agent, executes a lease of land or right therein for drilling for gas or oil, or for the development or production of gas or oil, shall furnish a copy of the lease, duly executed by the lessee, to the lessor.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-352; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.10; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1612 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1612. (Effective October 1, 2021) Distance limitations of certain wells

A. If the well operator and the objecting coal owners who are present or represented at a hearing to consider the objections to the proposed drilling unit or location are unable to agree upon a drilling unit or location for a new well within 2,500 linear feet of the location of an existing well or a well for which a permit application is on file, then the permit or drilling unit shall be refused.B. The distance limitation established by this section shall not apply if (i) the proposed well will be drilled through an existing or planned pillar of coal required for protection of a preexisting well drilled to any depth and (ii) the proposed well will neither require enlargement of the pillar nor otherwise have an adverse effect on existing or planned coal mining operations.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-319; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.12; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1613 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1613. (Effective October 1, 2021) Meetings of the Board; notice; general powers and duties

A. The Board shall schedule a monthly meeting at a time and place designated by the chairman. If no petition for action is filed with the Board prior to a meeting, the Board may cancel the meeting. Notification or cancellation of each meeting shall be given in writing to the members by the chairman at least five days in advance of the meeting. Four members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business that comes before the Board. All determinations of the Board shall be by majority vote of the quorum present.B. The Board has the power necessary to execute and carry out all of its duties specified in this chapter. The Board is authorized to investigate and inspect records and facilities as necessary and proper to perform its duties under this chapter. The Board may employ personnel and consultants as necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-296; 1987, c. 452; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.14; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1614 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1614. (Effective October 1, 2021) Additional duties and responsibilities of the Board

A. In executing its duties under this chapter, the Board shall:1. Foster, encourage, and promote the safe and efficient exploration for and development, production, and conservation of gas and oil resources located in the Commonwealth;2. Administer a method of gas and oil conservation for the purpose of maximizing exploration, development, production, and utilization of gas and oil resources;3. Administer procedures for the recognition and protection of the rights of gas or oil owners with interests in gas or oil resources contained within a pool;4. Promote the maximum production and recovery of coal without substantially affecting the right of a gas owner proposing a gas well to explore for and produce gas; and5. Hear and decide appeals of the Director's decisions and orders issued under Article 3 (§ 45.2-1629 et seq.).B. Without limiting its general authority, the Board has the specific authority to issue regulations or orders pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) in order to:1. Prevent waste through the design, spacing, or unitization of wells, pools, or fields.2. Protect correlative rights.3. Enter spacing and pooling orders.4. Establish drilling units.5. Establish maximum allowable production rates for the prevention of waste and the protection of correlative rights.6. Provide for the maximum recovery of coal.7. Classify pools and wells as gas, oil, gas and oil, or coalbed methane gas.8. Collect data, make investigations and inspections, examine property, leases, papers, books, and records, and require or provide for the keeping of records and the making of reports.9. Set application fees.10. Govern practices and procedures before the Board.11. Require additional data from parties to any hearing.12. Take actions reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-296; 1987, c. 452; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.15; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1615 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1615. (Effective October 1, 2021) Applicability and construction

A. The provisions of this article apply to all lands in the Commonwealth, whether publicly or privately owned. However, no well commenced prior to July 1, 1990, shall be required to be plugged or abandoned solely for purposes of complying with the conservation provisions of this article.B. No provision of this article shall be construed to grant to the Board the authority or power to fix prices of gas or oil.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-300; 1987, c. 452; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.16; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1616 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1616. (Effective October 1, 2021) Statewide spacing of wells

A. Unless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the field or pool rules so allows:1. No well drilled in search of oil shall be located closer than 1,250 feet to any well completed in the same pool; however, this spacing requirement is subject to § 45.2-1612;2. No well drilled in search of gas shall be located closer than 2,500 feet to any other well completed in the same pool or closer than 2,500 feet to any storage well within the boundary of a gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission prior to January 1, 1997, if the well to be drilled is to be completed within the same horizon as the certificated gas storage field; and3. No well shall be drilled closer to the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit, than one-half of the applicable minimum well spacing distance prescribed in this section.B. Unless prior approval has been received from the Board or a provision of the field or pool rules so allows:1. No well drilled in search of coalbed methane gas shall be located closer than 1,000 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well, or in the case of a coalbed methane gas well located in the gob, closer than 500 feet to any other coalbed methane gas well located in the gob.2. No coalbed methane gas well shall be drilled closer than 500 feet, or in the case of a well located in the gob, closer than 250 feet, from the boundary of the acreage supporting the well, whether such acreage is a single leasehold or other tract or a contractual or statutory drilling unit.3. The spacing limitations set forth in this subsection are subject to the provisions of §§ 45.2-1611 and 45.2-1612.1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.17; 1996, c. 854; 1997, c. 759; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1617 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1617. (Effective October 1, 2021) Voluntary pooling of interests in drilling units; validity of unit agreements

A. If two or more separately owned tracts are embraced within a drilling unit, or if there are separately owned interests in all or a part of any such drilling unit, the gas or oil owners owning such interests may pool their interests for the development and operation of the drilling unit by voluntary agreement. Such agreement may be based on the exercise of pooling rights or rights to establish drilling units that are granted in any gas or oil lease.B. No voluntary pooling agreement between or among gas or oil owners shall be held to violate the statutory or common law of the Commonwealth that prohibits monopolies or acts, arrangements, contracts, combinations, or conspiracies in restraint of trade or commerce.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-302; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.18; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1618 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1618. (Effective October 1, 2021) Notice of hearing; standing; form of hearing

A. Any person who applies for a hearing in front of the Board pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1619, 45.2-1620, or 45.2-1622 shall simultaneously with the filing of such application provide notice by commercial delivery service, return receipt requested, or certified mail, return receipt requested, to each gas or oil owner, coal owner, or mineral owner having an interest underlying the tract that is the subject of the hearing and to the operator of any gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission as a public utility facility whose certificated area includes the tract that is the subject of the hearing. Whenever a hearing applicant is unable to provide such written notice because the identity or location of a person to whom notice is required to be given is unknown, the hearing applicant shall promptly notify the Board of such inability.B. At least 10 days prior to a hearing, the Board shall publish its agenda in a newspaper of general circulation in each locality where the lands that are the subject of the hearing are located. The agenda shall include the name of each applicant, the locality where the lands that are the subject of the hearing are located, the purpose of the hearing, and the date, time, and location of the hearing.C. The Board shall conduct all hearings on any application made to it pursuant to the formal litigated issues hearing provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). The applicant and any person to whom notice is required to be given pursuant to subsection A shall have standing to be heard at the hearing. The Board shall render its decision on such application within 30 days of the hearing's closing date and shall provide notification of its decision to all parties to the hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-304; 1989, c. 529; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.19; 1997, c. 759; 2008, c. 534; 2019, c. 351; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1621 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1621. (Effective October 1, 2021) Coalbed methane gas; ownership

No conveyance, reservation, or exception of coal shall be deemed to include coalbed methane gas. Nothing in this section shall affect a coal operator's right to vent coalbed methane gas for safety purposes or release coalbed methane gas in connection with mining operations. The provisions of this section shall not affect any settlement of any dispute, or any judgment or governmental order, as to the ownership or development of coalbed methane gas made or entered into prior to April 13, 2010.2010, cc. 730, 762, § 45.1-361.21:1; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1625 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1625. (Effective October 1, 2021) Appeals of the Director's decisions; notices; hearings and orders

A. With the exception of an aggrieved permit applicant, no person shall have standing to appeal a decision of the Director to the Board concerning a new permit application unless such person has previously filed an objection with the Director pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1637.B. When a person applies for a hearing to appeal a decision of the Director to the Board, the Board shall, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, give notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person making the appeal and, if different, to the gas or oil operator subject to the appeal.C. Upon submittal of the petition for appeal of a decision of the Director to the Board, the Director shall forward to the Board (i) the permit application or order and associated documents; (ii) all required notices; and (iii) the written objections, proposals, and claims recorded during the informal fact-finding hearing.D. In any appeal involving a permit for a new well that was objected to (i) pursuant to the provisions of § 45.2-1611 or 45.2-1612 or (ii) by a gas storage field operator who asserts that the proposed well work will adversely affect the operation of a gas storage field certificated by the State Corporation Commission, the filing of a petition for appeal shall stay any permit until the case is decided by the Board or the stay is dissolved by a court of record. However, in an appeal by a gas storage field operator, such automatic stay shall not apply to any oil, gas, or coalbed methane well completed more than 100 feet above the cap rock above the storage stratum. In any other appeal, the Director may order the permit or other decision stayed for good cause shown until the case is decided by the Board or the stay is dissolved by a court of record. An appeal based on an alleged risk of danger to any person not engaged in the gas or oil operations shall be prima facie proof of good cause for a stay.E. The Board shall conduct all hearings under this section in accordance with the formal litigated issues hearing provisions of Article 3 (§ 2.2-4018 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act. However, any person to whom notice is required to be given pursuant to subsection B shall have standing to be heard at the hearing. The Board shall render its decision on such appeals within 30 days of the hearing's closing date and shall provide notification of its decision to all parties pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.23; 1997, c. 759; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1626 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1626. (Effective October 1, 2021) Enforcement

The Director shall enforce the provisions of this article pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 (§ 45.2-1629 et seq.). In addition, if any person violates or threatens to violate any provision of this article, regulation adopted thereunder, or order of the Board, the Board may maintain suit to restrain any such violation or threatened violation.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-306; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.24; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1627 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1627. (Effective October 1, 2021) Standing when Director or Board fails to act

If the Director or Board fails to take enforcement action within 10 days of the Board's receipt of a petition alleging that the petitioner is or will be adversely affected by a violation or threatened violation of any provision of this article, regulation adopted thereunder, or order of the Board, the petitioner shall have standing to file a complaint in the appropriate circuit court. The Board, in addition to the person violating or threatening to violate the provision of this article, regulation adopted thereunder, or order of the Board, shall be made a party to any such action.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-307; 1990, c. 92; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1628 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1628. (Effective October 1, 2021) Recording of orders

The Inspector shall cause a true copy of any order entered by the Board that establishes a drilling unit or pools any interests to be recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of each locality wherein any portion of the relevant drilling unit is located. Such order shall be recorded in the record book in which gas or oil leases are normally recorded. The sole charge for recordation shall be a tax equal to $10 plus $1 per page of the order. From the time noted on the recordation by the clerk, the recordation shall be notice of the order to all persons.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-308; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.25; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-1630 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 16 - Virginia Gas and Oil Act|§ 45.2-1630. (Effective October 1, 2021) Powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Inspector

A. The Inspector shall administer the laws and regulations and shall have access to all records and properties necessary for this purpose. He shall perform all duties delegated by the Director pursuant to § 45.2-105 and maintain permanent records of the following:1. Each application for a gas, oil, or geophysical operation and each permitted gas, oil, or geophysical operation;2. Meetings, actions, and orders of the Board;3. Each petition for mining coal within 200 feet of or through a well;4. Each request for special plugging by a coal owner or coal operator; and5. All other records prepared pursuant to this chapter.B. The Inspector or another Department employee as determined by the Director shall serve as the principal executive of the staff of the Board.C. The Inspector may take charge of well or corehole operations or pipeline emergency operations whenever a well or corehole blowout, release of hydrogen sulfide or other gas, or other serious accident occurs.1982, c. 347, § 45.1-293; 1987, c. 452; 1989, c. 164; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.28; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 387, 532.