RCW 78.52.001 Declaration of purpose. It is hereby declared to be in the public interest to foster, encourage, and promote the exploration, development, production, and utilization of oil and gas in the state in such manner as will prevent waste; to authorize and to provide for the operation and development of oil and gas properties […]
RCW 78.52.010 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, unless the text otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) “Certificate of clearance” means a permit prescribed by the department for the transportation or the delivery of oil, gas, or product. (2) “Department” means the department of natural resources. (3) “Development unit” […]
RCW 78.52.025 Hearings and meetings of department. The department shall hold hearings or meetings at such times and places as may be found by the department to be necessary to carry out its duties. The department may establish its own rules for the conduct of public hearings or meetings consistent with other applicable law. [ […]
RCW 78.52.030 Employment of personnel. The department shall employ all personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. [ 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 811; 1951 c 146 § 6.] NOTES: Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.
RCW 78.52.031 Conduct of hearings—Evidence. The department may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of records, books, and documents for examination at any hearing or investigation conducted by it. No person shall be excused from attending and testifying, or from producing books, papers, and records before the department or a court, or from […]
RCW 78.52.032 Hearing examiners. In addition to the powers and authority, either express or implied, granted to the department by virtue of the laws of this state, the department may, in prescribing its rules of order or procedure in connection with hearings or other proceedings before the department, provide for the appointment of one or […]
RCW 78.52.033 Failure of witness to attend or testify—Contempt. In case of failure or refusal on the part of any person to comply with a subpoena issued by the department or in case of the refusal of any witness to testify as to any matter regarding which the witness may be interrogated, any superior court […]
RCW 78.52.035 Attorney for department. The attorney general shall be the attorney for the department, but in cases of emergency, the department may call upon the prosecuting attorney of the county where the action is to be brought, or defended, to represent the department until such time as the attorney general may take charge of […]
RCW 78.52.037 State oil and gas supervisor—Deputy supervisors—Employment of personnel. The department shall designate a state oil and gas supervisor who shall be charged with duties as may be delegated by the department. The department may designate one or more deputy supervisors and employ all personnel necessary including the appointment of examiners as provided in […]
RCW 78.52.040 Duty and powers of department—In general. The department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter by the adoption of policies, and all rules, regulations, and orders promulgated hereunder, and the department has jurisdiction, power, and authority, over all persons and property, public and private, necessary to enforce effectively such duty. [ […]
RCW 78.52.050 Rules, regulations, and orders—Time and place of hearing—Notices. The department may make such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders as may be necessary from time to time for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter. Unless otherwise required by law or by this chapter or by rules of procedure made under this chapter, […]
RCW 78.52.070 Hearing upon petition—Time for action. Any interested person shall have the right to have the department call a hearing for the purpose of taking action with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the department by filing a verified written petition therefor, which shall state in substance the matter and reasons for […]
RCW 78.52.100 Records—Copies as evidence—Copies to be furnished. All rules, regulations, policies, and orders of the department, all petitions, copies of all notices and actions with affidavits of posting, mailing, or publications pertaining thereto, all findings of fact, and transcripts of all hearings shall be in writing and shall be entered in full by the […]
RCW 78.52.120 Drilling permit required—Notice. Any person desiring or proposing to drill any well in search of oil or gas, before commencing the drilling of any such well, shall apply to the department upon such form as the department may prescribe, and shall pay to the state treasurer a fee of the following amounts for […]
RCW 78.52.125 Environmental impact statement required when drilling affects surface waters of the state—Drilling may be denied, when. Any person desiring or proposing to drill any well in search of oil or gas, when such drilling would be conducted through or under any surface waters of the state, shall prepare and submit an environmental impact […]
RCW 78.52.130 Waste prohibited. Waste of oil and gas, as defined in this chapter, is prohibited. [ 1951 c 146 § 15.]
RCW 78.52.140 Carbon black and carbon products—Permit required. The use of gas from a well producing gas only, or from a well which is primarily a gas well, for the manufacture of carbon black or similar products predominantly carbon, is declared to constitute waste prima facie, and such gas well shall not be used for […]
RCW 78.52.150 Investigations authorized. The department shall make such investigations as it may deem proper to determine whether waste exists or is imminent or whether other facts exist which justify action by the department. [ 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 824; 1951 c 146 § 17.] NOTES: Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c […]
RCW 78.52.155 Investigations—Powers and duties. (1) The department shall make investigations as necessary to carry out this chapter. (2) The department shall require: (a) Identification of ownership of oil or gas wells, producing leases, tanks, plants, structures, and facilities for the transportation or refining of oil or gas; (b) The making and filing of well […]
RCW 78.52.200 Development units authorized for known pools. When necessary to prevent waste, to avoid the drilling of unnecessary wells, or to protect correlative rights including those of royalty owners, the department, upon its own motion or upon application of interested persons, shall establish development units covering any known pool. Development units shall be of […]
