reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-110. Market demand - Transportation and marketing facilities - Evidence - Proceedings and hearings.

In any proceeding or at any hearing before the Commission wherein the Commission shall require or shall deem it advisable to ascertain and/or find the reasonable market demand and/or the transportation or marketing facilities for oil that may be produced from any common source of supply during any specific period of time thereafter, it shall be competent, subject to such limitations and conditions, as shall be prescribed and provided by general order or rule of the Commission, to receive in evidence in such proceeding or at such hearing, any statement which shall have been communicated to (a) the Commission, or (b) to the Secretary of the Commission, or (c) to the Proration Umpire, by any purchaser or taker of oil by (a) telegram, or (b) letter, which shall state the amount of oil produced from said common source of supply (a) that such purchaser or taker contemplates or intends he or it will purchase during the period of time involved; or (b) the capacity of his or its transportation or marketing facilities which will be, during the period of time involved, available for transportation and/or marketing oil that may be produced from such common source of supply; and the Commission in ascertaining and determining the transportation or marketing facilities, or the reasonable market demands for oil during any such period of time that may be produced from such common source of supply may give such weight to such evidence that it shall determine the same is entitled.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 291, § 27, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-111. Collateral attack on orders, rules and regulations - Appeals - Supreme Court.

No collateral attack shall be allowed upon orders, rules and regulations of the Commission made hereunder, but the sole method of reviewing such orders and inquiring into and determining their validity, justness, reasonableness or correctness shall be by appeal from such orders, rules or regulations to the Supreme Court. On appeal every such order, rule or regulation shall be regarded as prima facie, valid, reasonable and just. No court of this state except the Supreme Court, and it only on appeal, as herein provided, shall have jurisdiction to review, reverse, annul, modify or correct any order, rule, or regulation of the Commission within the general scope of its authority herein or to enjoin, restrain or suspend execution or operation thereof, provided that writs of mandamus and prohibition shall lie from the Supreme Court to the Commission in all cases where such writs, respectively, would under like circumstances lie to any inferior court or officer.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 292, § 28, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-112. Application to amend or modify orders - Hearing - Appeal.

Any person affected by any legislative or administrative order of the Commission shall have the right at any time to apply to the Commission to repeal, amend, modify, or supplement the same. Such application shall be in writing and shall be heard as expeditiously as possible after notice of the hearing thereon shall have been given in the manner provided by Section 14 of this act. An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any order made by the Commission in any such proceedings or from the refusal of the Commission to make any order petitioned for therein, in the same manner and within the same time in which other appeals are authorized to be taken by the provisions of this act, and, on any such appeal, the Supreme Court may affirm the order of the Commission, or the Commission's action in refusing to make the order petitioned for, or may itself make the order which the Commission should have made, or remand the cause to the Commission with directions to make such order as the Supreme Court may determine should have been made.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 292, § 29, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-114. Obstructing or delaying performance of duties a felony.

Any person who knowingly and willfully delays or obstructs any Proration Umpire, any assistant or deputy of the Proration Umpire, or any agent or employee of the Commission, in the performance of any duty enjoined upon such proration umpire, assistant or deputy of such Proration Umpire, or agent, or employee of the Commission, by the provisions of this act or by any lawful order, rule or regulation of the Commission; or who knowingly and willfully delays or obstructs any public officer of the state, or of any municipal subdivision thereof in the discharge or attempted discharge of any duty of his office, arising by virtue of or growing out of the enforcement of or an attempt to enforce the provisions of this act, or any lawful order, rule, or regulation of the Commission made in pursuance of the provisions hereof; or who attempts by means of any threat or violence to deter or prevent any such Proration Umpire, assistant, or deputy of the Proration Umpire, or any agent or employee of the Commission from performing any duty imposed upon them when such duty arises by virtue of or grows out of the attempt to enforce the provisions of this act or of any lawful order, rule, or regulation of the Commission made hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof may be punished by fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by confinement in the county jail not exceeding six (6) months, or both. If such threat or violence, or such attempted interference or obstruction is accompanied by the use or attempted use of firearms by any such person so offending, then such person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, may be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a period of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 294, § 31, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 492, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 357, eff. July 1, 1999.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 492 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-115. Conspiracy to violate act - Punishment.

If two or more persons conspire to violate any provision of this act, or any lawful order, rule, or regulation of the Commission fixing the method, manner, amount and rate of production of oil or gas from any common source of supply in the State of Oklahoma or conspire to produce oil or gas from any well or wells in any common source of supply in the State of Oklahoma in excess of the allowable production permitted from such well or wells as fixed and determined by any lawful order, rule, or regulation of the Commission or conspire to avoid making or filing any report, map or drawing, or to file any false report, map or drawing with respect to the method, manner, time, place, amount, or rate of production of oil or gas from any well or wells in any common source of supply in the State of Oklahoma, or conspire to avoid the making or filing of any report, map or drawing, or to file any false report, map or drawing, with respect to the removal or transportation of oil or gas by any means whatsoever, from any common source of supply, as may be prescribed or required by this act or by any lawful order, rule, or regulation of the Commission; or conspire to make any false statement therein with respect to any material matter contained therein, and one or more such parties shall do any act to effect the object of any such conspiracy, then each of the parties to any such conspiracy shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony in any court having jurisdiction of the offense, be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisoned in the State Penitentiary for a period of not exceeding five (5) years, or both.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 295, § 32, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 493, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 358, eff. July 1, 1999.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 493 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-116. Violation of orders, rules and regulations - Injunction - Appeal - Supersedeas.

Where the Commission shall make and issue any order, rule, or regulation for the prevention or prohibition of any waste prohibited by this act, or by any order, rule, or regulation of the Commission, authorized by this act, and the same has been or is being violated by any person, firm, trust, association or corporation, the Attorney General of the state, or the Proration Attorney may in the name of the state bring an action in the district court of the county wherein the oil or gas properties have been or are being operated in violation of such order, rule, or regulation of the Commission or wherein any such violation of any order, rule or regulation of the Commission has been or is being committed, for a prohibitory and/or a mandatory injunction, enjoining and prohibiting the offender from further violating the provisions of this act or any such order, rule, or regulation of the Commission and/or commanding and compelling such offender to obey such order, rule, or regulation; and such court is hereby given jurisdiction to grant such injunction or such other relief as may be proper in the premises, and shall have power to grant in any such proceedings temporary restraining orders and/or injunctions, to obtain which no bond shall be required. Neither a temporary nor permanent injunction granted under the provisions of this section shall be stayed or superseded on appeal therefrom except upon order of the Supreme Court, and then only upon application therefor, and hearing thereon after reasonable notice to plaintiff. Insofar as permitted and not prohibited by existing statutes, all suits brought under the provisions of this section shall be given, in the hearing and trial thereof, by all courts in which the same are brought and prosecuted, precedence over other actions pending in said courts.
Added by 1933, c. 131, p. 295, § 33, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-117. Bribery - Punishment.

Whoever corruptly gives, offers or promises to give to any member of the Commission, Proration Umpire, assistant or deputy of a Proration Umpire, Proration Attorney, or agent or employee of the Commission, any gift or gratuity whatsoever with an intent to influence any such officer or person in his acts or conduct with respect to (a) enforcing any order, rule or regulation of the Commission made under this act, or (b) the discharge of any duty by any such officer or person imposed upon him by the provisions of this act, or by any order, rule, or regulation of the Commission issued and promulgated under the provisions of this act, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years, and by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 296, § 34, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 494, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 359, eff. July 1, 1999.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 494 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-118. Bribery - Accepting bribe - Punishment.

Any member of the Commission, Proration Umpire, assistant, deputy, agent or employee of the Proration Umpire, Proration Attorney, or any agent or employee of the Commission who asks, receives or agrees to receive any gift or gratuity upon any agreement or understanding that his acts or conduct with respect to (a) enforcing any provision of this act or of any order, rule, or regulation of the Commission made under or in pursuance of this act, or (b) the discharge of any duty by any such officer or person imposed upon him by the provisions of this act, or by any order, rule, or regulation of the Commission issued and promulgated under the provisions of this act, shall be influenced thereby shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding ten (10) years, and by a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 296, § 35, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 495, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 360, eff. July 1, 1999.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 495 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-119. Bribery - State's evidence - Immunity.

In all cases involving the offering, promising, giving or receiving any gift, or gratuity, made criminal by Sections 34 and 35 of this act, and in all cases for conspiracy under Section 32 of this act, the party to such crime or crimes who shall first furnish information in relation thereto as against the other party or parties thereto, and in any prosecution therefor shall testify to the same truthfully and fully, shall not thereafter be criminally liable therefor, but in such cases no conviction shall be had on the uncorroborated testimony of one such witness.
Added by 1933, c. 131, p. 297, § 36, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-120. Powers - Grant of not to restrict general powers.

Any grant of specific power or powers, and any imposition of any specific duty or duties upon the Commission by the provisions of this act shall not be construed to restrict or limit the general powers granted and the general duties imposed upon the Commission with respect to the enforcement of the provisions of this act.
Added by 1933, c. 131, p. 297, § 37, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-132. Office of Management and Enterprise Services - Rooms and supplies.

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide such rooms, furniture, and supplies as shall be necessary for the Conservation Division in implementing their duties as prescribed by the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Conservation Act. No expense incurred in implementing the provisions of this section shall be paid out of the General Revenue Fund of the State of Oklahoma.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, § 46, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 304, § 28, eff. July 1, 1983; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 210.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-134. Partial invalidity - Effect.

If any section, paragraph, sentence or phrase of this act shall be declared unconstitutional, or void for any other reason by any court of final jurisdiction, such fact shall not in any manner invalidate or affect any other section, paragraph, sentence or phrase of this act, but the same shall continue in full force and effect.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 301, § 48, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-135. Pending actions not terminated.

The enactment of this act shall not terminate any proceeding or proceedings now pending before the Commission, including those wherein is sought the issuance and promulgation of orders, rules or regulations by the Commission under the provisions of an act of the Legislature approved February 11, 1915, entitled "An Act defining and prohibiting the waste of crude oil or petroleum, providing for the equitable taking of the same from the ground and conferring authority on the Corporation Commission, prescribing the penalty for the violation of this Act and declaring an emergency," and of any amendments thereto, but any and all such proceedings shall continue to final decision or action therein by the Commission, and all further proceedings, hearings and all orders, rules and regulations had or made therein by the Commission, and all enforcement thereof shall be under and subject to the terms and provisions of this act. All existing orders, rules and regulations of the Commission heretofore made and issued under the provisions of aforesaid act of the Legislature, approved February 11, 1915, and of any amendments thereto, until repealed, vacated or modified by order of the Commission, or of the Supreme Court on appeal therefrom, shall continue and remain in full force and effect and shall be enforced in the same manner and to like extent as if this act had not been enacted, but all further proceedings and hearings in any proceedings heretofore brought and now pending before the Commission, and the institution, prosecution and hearing of any proceedings hereafter brought before the Commission in connection with any such existing orders, rules or regulations of the Commission shall be governed by the rules of procedure in this act provided and/or that shall be issued by the Commission in pursuance of the provisions of this act.
Added by Laws 1933, c. 131, p. 301, § 49, emerg. eff. April 10, 1933.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-136. Application of procedural requirements - Right of appeal - Rules and regulations.

This act is subject to all of the procedural requirements of Chapter 131, Session Laws of Oklahoma, 1933, including the right of appeal to the Supreme Court of the state on the part of any person aggrieved by any action under said subsections, and the Corporation Commission is hereby vested with specific power and jurisdiction to establish rules and regulations for the carrying out and enforcement of all of the provisions of this act.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 236, § 4, emerg. eff. April 22, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-137.1. Regulation of oil and gas activities by municipalities, counties, or other political subdivisions.

A municipality, county or other political subdivision may enact reasonable ordinances, rules and regulations concerning road use, traffic, noise and odors incidental to oil and gas operations within its boundaries, provided such ordinances, rules and regulations are not inconsistent with any regulation established by Title 52 of the Oklahoma Statutes or the Corporation Commission. A municipality, county or other political subdivision may also establish reasonable setbacks and fencing requirements for oil and gas well site locations as are reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens but may not effectively prohibit or ban any oil and gas operations, including oil and gas exploration, drilling, fracture stimulation, completion, production, maintenance, plugging and abandonment, produced water disposal, secondary recovery operations, flow and gathering lines or pipeline infrastructure. All other regulations of oil and gas operations shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Corporation Commission. Provided, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a municipality, county or other political subdivision may enact reasonable ordinances, rules and regulations concerning development of areas within its boundaries which have been or may be delineated as a one-hundred-year floodplain but only to the minimum extent necessary to maintain National Flood Insurance Program eligibility.
Added by Laws 2015, c. 341, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-138. Partial invalidity, effect of.

If any section, paragraph, sentence or phrase of this act shall be declared unconstitutional or void for any reason, by any court of final jurisdiction, such decision shall not in any way invalidate or affect any other section, paragraph, sentence or phrase of this act, but the same shall continue in full force and effect.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 236, § 6, emerg. eff. April 22, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-141. Rules and orders - Powers of Commission - Power to file applications with Commission or appear before Commission - Appeals.

A. In all matters pertaining to the making, issuing and enforcement of its rules or orders made pursuant to the provisions of this act the Corporation Commission shall have and exercise all the powers and authority granted to it under, and to the extent the same are reasonably applicable and except as herein specifically provided shall comply with the procedural requirements of Section 81 et seq. of Title 52 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or any amendment thereof, all to the same extent as if the powers and duties prescribed by this act had been included as a part of the powers and duties of the Commission under said Section 81 et seq. of Title 52 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Any employee of the Commission employed pursuant to the provisions of Section 81 et seq. of Title 52 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall perform such duties incident to the administration and enforcement of this act and the rules, and orders issued pursuant thereto as the Commission may direct.
B. The Attorney General on behalf of the State of Oklahoma, any state environmental agency, as such term is defined in the Oklahoma Environmental Quality Act, and any municipality or other governmental officer, agency, person, firm or corporation are expressly authorized to file applications with the Commission for rules or orders authorized by this act or for the amendment or modification of any such rule or order, or to otherwise appear in any proceeding pending before the Commission in respect thereto.
C. Any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by any rule or order of the Commission made pursuant to this act may appeal therefrom to the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma within the same time and in the same manner as is provided in said Section 81 et seq. of Title 52 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or any amendment thereof, for the taking of appeals from orders of the Commission made thereunder.
Added by Laws 1955, p. 482, § 3, emerg. eff. May 19, 1955. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 145, § 257, eff. July 1, 1993; Laws 1997, c. 275, § 6, eff. July 1, 1997.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-142. Cooperation and assistance of other environmental agencies.

Each environmental agency in pursuance of its duties with respect to the protection of the environment and natural resources of the state is authorized and it shall be its duty to assist and cooperate with the Commission in the performance of its duties under this act by making investigations, gathering evidence and filing reports or complaints with the Commission concerning conditions with respect to the handling, storage and disposition of deleterious substances and by making recommendations from time to time to the Commission with respect to rules, regulations, orders or other action that may be required to carry out the purpose of this act.
Added by Laws 1955, p. 482, § 4, emerg. eff. May 19, 1955. Amended by Laws 1965, c. 228, § 3, emerg. eff. June 16, 1965; Laws 1993, c. 145, § 258, eff. July 1, 1993.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-143. Penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any rule, regulation or order of the Commission authorized by this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be punished by a fine not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or exceeding Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00). Each day such a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
Added by Laws 1955, p. 483, § 5, emerg. eff. May 19, 1955.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-144. Provisions supplemental - Exceptions.

The provisions of this act shall not repeal, but are supplemental to any and all other provisions of law having for their purpose the prevention of the pollution of surface or subsurface waters in this state; provided, however, the provisions of this act and any order issued hereunder shall not be supplemental to Section 287.1 through Section 287.15 of this title, and nothing in this act shall affect the operators' civil or criminal responsibility, or authorize the creation or perpetuation, or a public or private nuisance, and nothing in this act shall prevent the Department of Wildlife Conservation from policing and patrolling the lakes and streams of Oklahoma, and enforcing the provisions of Section 7-401 of Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 1955, p. 483, § 6, emerg. eff. May 19, 1955. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 145, § 259, eff. July 1, 1993.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-146. Right of condemnation by eminent domain to enforce Commission orders.

The Corporation Commission of Oklahoma is hereby granted the right of condemnation by eminent domain for the purpose of obtaining rights-of-way when necessary to enforce orders issued by the Corporation Commission, provided, the right of condemnation hereby granted shall be restricted to such pipeline right-of-way easement and shall not be construed to authorize the obtaining of any other rights for drilling locations or other facilities, and the right-of-way easement obtained shall be without prejudice to the rights of the owner of such lands or other rights or interests therein as to all other uses thereof.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 433, § 1, emerg. eff. June 13, 1961.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-147. Institution of condemnation proceedings by lessees.

Every person, firm or corporation operating an oil and gas mining lease in the State of Oklahoma, and having been directed by order or orders of the Corporation Commission to dispose of water or other deleterious substances therefrom, upon proper showing at a hearing before the Corporation Commission, that the necessary rights-of-way to dispose of such water or other deleterious substances are impossible to obtain by negotiation and purchase, such person, firm or corporation shall be authorized to institute condemnation proceedings in the name of the Corporation Commission to obtain rights-of-way necessary to comply with such order or orders of the Corporation Commission.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 433, § 2, emerg. eff. June 13, 1961.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-148. Court procedure.

The exercise of the rights of eminent domain shall be in the same manner and by like proceedings as provided for railroad corporations of this state, and all costs, fees and awards shall be paid by the person instituting such action, and title to the rights-of-way easements shall be taken in the name of such person.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 433, § 3, emerg. eff. June 13, 1961.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-149.1. Oil and gas referees.

The Commission is hereby authorized to employ three oil and gas referees who shall be in the unclassified service. Any person filling the position of oil and gas referee shall be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a degree in law, geology, petroleum engineering or similar fields related to hydrocarbon extraction, or possesses significant experience in the practice of law or the exploration, production or supervision of oil or gas operations. Each oil and gas referee shall also be familiar with state statutes and Commission rules and regulations governing oil and gas operations. The oil and gas referees shall hear such cases and exercise such powers as the Commission shall direct. The Commission may establish such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement this section. The referees shall be subject to the overall supervision and direction of the General Administrator.
Added by Laws 1982, c. 354, § 9, operative July 1, 1982.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-149.2. Oil and Gas Appellate Referees.

The Corporation Commission is authorized to employ Oil and Gas Appellate Referees. Any person filling the position of Oil and Gas Appellate Referee shall be a duly licensed attorney in the State of Oklahoma and shall be familiar with the statutes and rules governing oil and gas operations in Oklahoma. The Oil and Gas Appellate Referees shall hear all exceptions and appeals from recommendations of an Administrative Law Judge for cases on the conservation docket, except for exceptions and appeals from Administrative Law Judge recommendations of conservation docket cases which the Commission determines it will hear en banc without intermediate review. The Oil and Gas Appellate Referees shall file a report and make recommendations to the Commission for the disposition of such exceptions and appeals. The Commission shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary to implement this section.
Added by Laws 1994, c. 315, § 3, eff. July 1, 1994. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 328, § 7, eff. July 1, 1995.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-149.3. Teleconference hearings.

The Corporation Commission shall establish and maintain a system providing telephonic capability for hearing of matters assigned to the conservation docket so that testimony at unprotested hearings may be offered by telephone and parties and witnesses need not be present in the courtroom. Where hearings are protested, testimony may also be offered by telephone with the consent of all parties and the administrative law judge assigned to hear the case. The cost of telephonic communication shall be paid by the person or persons requesting its use. The Commission shall promulgate rules implementing the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 1994, c. 315, § 4, eff. July 1, 1994.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-152. Salaries, costs and expenses - Payment.

Subject to the traveling and subsistence limitations applicable to state employees generally, and to the extent approved by the Corporation Commission, employees of the Oil and Gas Conservation Division shall be paid all necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and functions. The Commission is further authorized to incur such other costs and expenses for equipment, facilities, supplies, services and other operating costs as determined by the Commission to be reasonably necessary and proper for the functioning of the Oil and Gas Conservation Division and the administration and enforcement by the Commission of its powers, duties and functions with respect to oil and gas conservation and the prevention of pollution. All salaries and authorized expenses of the employees of the Oil and Gas Conservation Division and all other authorized cost and expense incurred for or on account of the Oil and Gas Conservation Division or for the administration and enforcement by the Commission of its powers, duties and functions with respect to oil and gas conservation and the prevention of pollution, may be paid out of funds appropriated to the Commission for such purpose.
Added by Laws 1967, c. 207, § 4, emerg. eff. May 1, 1967. Amended by Laws 1987, c. 208, § 61, operative July 1, 1987; Laws 1987, c. 236, § 83, emerg. eff. July 20, 1987; Laws 1997, c. 275, § 7, eff. July 1, 1997.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-153. Persons having authority to make investigations, serve orders, etc.

The Commission shall have the authority to designate those employees in the Oil and Gas Conservation Division who shall each possess the authority to make investigations, serve orders, issue field citations, subpoenas or notices issued by the Commission or the Conservation Division, to any operator, employee or agent of said operator, and to enter upon any oil or gas lease or property where necessary in the performance of their duties.
Added by Laws 1967, c 207, § 5, emerg. eff. May 1, 1967. Amended by Laws 1985, c. 325, § 13, emerg. eff. July 29, 1985; Laws 1995, c. 328, § 8, eff. July 1, 1995.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-201. Compacts with other states authorized - Objectives - Fact finding agency - Uniform conservation and tax laws.

The Governor, or such representative as he may appoint, is authorized to meet with representatives of the Governors of other petroleum-producing states, and of the United States, for the purpose of agreeing upon a compact among such states effecting the following objectives:
(a). Establishment of a joint state and federal fact-finding agency to consist of one representative appointed by the Governor of each compacting state, and one representative of the United States as Congress or the President shall direct. Said agency shall make periodic findings, subject to the approval and modification by the President, of the demand for petroleum to be produced within the United States, for withdrawals from storage, and for petroleum and products thereof to be imported. It shall thereupon, subject to concurrence of representatives of compacting states capable of together producing two-thirds (2/3) of the demand for domestic production so found, and approval and modification by the President, determine the part thereof allowable as production within each petroleum-producing state.
(b). Voluntary regulation of production by each compacting state within its own borders in accordance with said determination of the joint fact-finding agency, to the extent that and in such manner as the laws of each state may authorize.
(c). Formulation by the joint agency of uniform conservation measures and tax laws which it shall recommend to the compacting states, and exercise by said agency of such incidental powers as may be agreed upon.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 240, § 1, emerg. eff. Jan. 30, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-202. Interstate compacts - When binding.

No compact made under the authority of this act shall bind this state unless and until:
(a). Said compact shall be ratified by the Legislatures of two of the States of Texas, California, Kansas and New Mexico, and the Legislature of this state, and Congress shall consent thereto.
(b). Congress shall make provision for the control and limitation of importations in accordance with the findings referred to in Section 1.
(c). Congress shall provide for the control of interstate movements of petroleum produced or withdrawn from storage in violation of the laws and valid regulations of the several states, and products of such petroleum.
(d). Congress shall provide for the control of interstate movements of petroleum produced in any state in excess of the determination, referred to in Section 1, of allowable production within said state as approved by the President, and products of such petroleum.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 240, § 2., emerg. eff. Jan. 30, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-203. Interstate Compact ratified and confirmed.

The "Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas" entered into by the Governor of this state and the representatives of certain other oil-producing states at Dallas, Texas, on the 16th day of February, 1935, is hereby ratified, approved and confirmed by the State of Oklahoma.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 242, § 1, emerg. eff. March 6, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-205. Governor as official representative of state - Powers and duties - Assistant representatives.

The Governor is hereby designated as the official representative of the State of Oklahoma on "The Interstate Oil Compact Commission" provided for in the Compact herein authorized to be extended. The Governor shall exercise and perform for the State of Oklahoma all the powers and duties imposed by the aforesaid Compact upon a representative to "The Interstate Oil Compact Commission"; provided, that he shall have the authority to appoint an assistant representative who shall act as the official representative of the State of Oklahoma on "The Interstate Oil Compact Commission" when the authority to so act is delegated to him by the Governor. In addition said assistant representative shall perform such other duties as the Governor may designate which are necessary to enable the State of Oklahoma to fully cooperate in accomplishing the objects of said Compact. Said assistant representative shall take the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution which shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 244, § 3, emerg. eff. March 6, 1935. Amended by Laws 1935, p. 241, § 1, emerg. eff. April 19, 1935; Laws 1939, p. 349, § 5, emerg. eff. Jan. 27, 1939; Laws 1941, p. 214, § 5, emerg. eff. Feb 19, 1941; Laws 1985, c. 178, § 23, operative July 1, 1985.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-206. Clerical, technical and legal assistants - Expenses - Office.

The assistant representative referred to in Section 205 of this title is hereby authorized with the consent of the Governor to employ such clerical, technical and legal assistants as may be necessary for him to properly perform the duties assigned him, and to incur such other expenses as may be necessary to enable the State of Oklahoma to fully cooperate in accomplishing the objects of "The Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas." Said assistant representative and his assistants, and the Governor when acting in his capacity as official representative of the State of Oklahoma on "The Interstate Oil Compact Commission," shall receive their actual and necessary traveling expenses when away from the State Capitol in the performance of their duties, which shall be paid from the special fund hereinafter created. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide and furnish an office in the State Capitol for said assistant representative.
Added by 1935, p. 241, § 2, emerg. eff. April 19, 1935. Amended by Laws 1939, p. 349, § 6, emerg. eff. Jan. 27, 1939; Laws 1941, p. 214, § 6, emerg. eff. Feb. 19, 1941; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 213.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-207. Interstate Oil Compact Fund - Purpose for which used - Disposition of unexpended balance.

A. There is hereby created in the Office of the State Treasurer a special fund to be known as "The Interstate Oil Compact Fund of Oklahoma". All monies accruing to the fund are hereby appropriated for the purpose of paying the compensation of the assistant representative referred to in Section 205 of this title, the compensation of such clerical, technical, and legal assistants as he or she, with the consent of the Governor, may employ, the actual and necessary traveling expenses of the assistant representative and his or her employees and of the Governor when traveling in his or her capacity as official representative of this state on "The Interstate Oil Compact Commission", all items of office expense including the cost of office supplies and equipment, such contributions as the Governor shall deem proper to pay to The Interstate Oil Compact Commission to defray its expenses, such other necessary expenses as may be incurred in enabling this state to fully cooperate in accomplishing the objects of "The Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas".
B. The maintenance of the Oklahoma Energy Initiative as created in the Oklahoma Energy Initiative Act is hereby declared to be a part of the accomplishment of the objects of The Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas and the Governor is hereby authorized to contract with appropriate entities for such purposes and to pay the obligations thereof from the fund created by this section.
C. The fund shall be disbursed upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer upon sworn itemized claims approved by the assistant representative and the Governor. If at the end of any fiscal year any part of the special fund shall remain unexpended or unobligated, such balance shall be transferred by the State Treasurer to and become a part of the General Revenue Fund of the state for the ensuing fiscal year.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 241, § 3, emerg. eff. April 19, 1935. Amended by Laws 1939, p. 350, § 7, emerg. eff. Jan. 27, 1939; Laws 1941, p. 214, § 7, emerg. eff. Feb. 19, 1941; Laws 1979, c. 47, § 18, emerg. eff. April 9, 1979; Laws 1983, c. 263, § 14, operative July 1, 1983; Laws 1985, c. 203, § 112, operative July 1, 1985; Laws 1997, c. 275, § 8, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 2012, c. 248, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-208. Duration of Act - Withdrawal from Compact - Credit of funds to General Revenue Fund.

The provisions of this act, Section 201 et seq, of this title, shall be in force and effect so long as the State of Oklahoma shall be and remain a party to "The Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas." In the event the State of Oklahoma withdraws from said Compact, the provisions of this act shall cease to operate and any unencumbered monies in "The Interstate Oil Compact Fund of Oklahoma" shall be credited to the General Revenue Fund of the State of Oklahoma.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 242, § 4, emerg. eff. April 19, 1935. Amended by Laws 1939, p. 350, § 8, emerg. eff. Jan. 27, 1939; Laws 1941, p. 215, § 8, emerg. eff. Feb. 19, 1941; Laws 1997, c. 275, § 9, eff. July 1, 1997.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-211. Further extensions - Withdrawal from Compact - Determination and necessary steps.

The Governor of Oklahoma is further authorized and empowered for and in the name of the State of Oklahoma to execute agreements for the further extension of the expiration date of the said The Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas and to determine if and when it shall be for the best interest of the State of Oklahoma to withdraw from said Compact upon sixty (60) days' notice as provided by the terms of the Compact. In the event he shall determine that this state should withdraw from said Compact he shall have full power and authority to give necessary notice and to take any and all steps necessary and proper to effect the withdrawal of the State of Oklahoma from said Compact.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 244, § 6, emerg. eff. March 6, 1935. Amended by Laws 1939, p. 349, § 4; Laws 1941, p. 214, § 4.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-232. Drilling rights.

Subject to the provisions of Sections 29 and 239 of this title any owner, producer, or oil and gas lessee of the surface, having the right to drill for natural gas, shall have the right to sink a well to the natural gas underneath the same and to take gas therefrom until the gas under such surface is exhausted. The drilling of a gas well or wells by any owner or lessee of the surface shall be regarded as reducing to possession his share of such gas as is shown by his well.
Added by Laws 1913, c. 198, p. 440, § 2. Amended by Laws 1981, c. 22, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1981; Laws 1992, c. 14, § 3, eff. April 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-233. Sale of gas - Prices and amounts of gas to be taken - Delivery.

Any person, firm or corporation, taking gas from a gas field, except for purposes of developing a gas or oil field, and operating oil wells, and for the purpose of his own domestic use, shall take ratably from each owner of the gas in proportion to his interest in said gas, upon such terms as may be agreed upon between said owners and the party taking such, or in case they cannot agree at such a price and upon such terms as may be fixed by the Corporation Commission after notice and hearing; provided, that each owner shall be required to deliver his gas to a common point of delivery on or adjacent to the surface overlying such gas.
Added by Laws 1913, c. 198, p. 440, § 3.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-234. Misappropriation of gas - Liability for damages and penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation, taking more than his or its proportionate share of such gas, in violation of the provisions of this act, shall be liable to any adjoining well owner for all damages sustained thereby and subject to a penalty for each violation not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), and each day such violation is continued shall be a separate offense.
Added by Laws 1913, c. 198, p. 441, § 4.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-235. Misappropriation of gas - Felony of grand larceny.

Any person or agent of a corporation, who takes gas, or aids or abets in the taking of gas, except as herein provided, either directly or indirectly, as an individual, officer, agent, or employee of any corporation, shall be guilty of the felony of grand larceny, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to the State Penitentiary not to exceed five (5) years.
Added by Laws 1913, c. 198, p. 441, § 5. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 496, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 361, eff. July 1, 1999.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 496 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-237. Waste defined.

The term waste, as used herein in addition to its ordinary meaning, shall include escape of natural gas in commercial quantities into the open air, the intentional drowning with water of a gas stratum capable of producing gas in commercial quantities, underground waste, the permitting of any natural gas well to wastefully burn and the wasteful utilization of such gas.
Added by Laws 1915, c. 197, § 2, emerg. eff. March 30, 1915.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-238. Conservation of gas.

Whenever natural gas in commercial quantities, or a gas-bearing stratum, known to contain natural gas in such quantity, is encountered in any well drilled for oil or gas in this state, such gas shall be confined to its original stratum until such time as the same can be produced and utilized without waste, and all such strata shall be adequately protected from infiltrating waters. Any unrestricted flow of natural gas in excess of two million (2,000,000) cubic feet per twenty-four (24) hours shall be considered a commercial quantity thereof; provided, that if in the opinion of the Corporation Commission, gas of a lesser quantity shall be of commercial value, said Commission shall have authority to require the conservation of said gas in accordance with the provisions of this act; and provided, further, the gauge of the capacity of any gas well shall not be taken until such well has been allowed an open flow for the period of three (3) days.
Laws 1915, c. 197, § 3, emerg. eff. March 30, 1915.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 52. Oil and Gas › §52-239. Common source of supply - Apportionment and regulation to prevent waste.

Any person, firm or corporation, having the right to drill into and produce gas from any common source of supply, may take therefrom only such proportion of the natural gas that may be marketed without waste, as the natural flow of the well or wells owned or controlled by the person, firm or corporation bears to the total natural flow of such common source of supply having due regard to the acreage drained by each well, so as to prevent the person, firm or corporation securing any unfair proportion of the gas from the common source of supply. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Corporation Commission is authorized and directed to prescribe rules for the determination of the natural flow of any well or wells, and to promulgate field rules to regulate the taking of natural gas from any or all common sources of supply within the state, so as to prevent waste as the same is defined in Section 86.3 of this title, protect the interests of the public, and the correlative rights of all those having a right to produce from the common source of supply, and to prevent unreasonable discrimination in favor of any one common source of supply as against another. Except for the common source of supply referred to as the Guymon-Hugoton, the Commission shall have no authority to prescribe or enforce rules under this section for the taking of natural gas from any other common source of supply when the average pressure of such other common source of supply declines to below one hundred (100) pounds per square inch gauge or the average production per well in the common source of supply declines below two hundred thousand (200,000) standard cubic feet per day for each day of the last calendar year.
Added by Laws 1915, c. 197, § 4, emerg. eff. March 30, 1915. Amended by Laws 1992, c. 14, § 4, eff. April 1, 1992; Laws 1995, c. 345, § 1, emerg. eff. June 9, 1995.