ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management - Oil and Gas

Oil and Gas Regulatory Enforcement

The division works to protect Ohio’s oil and gas resources, the environment and the interests of citizens living near oil and gas wells. Inspectors investigate citizen’s complaints, enforce and oversee well construction and waste disposal activities, and the plugging of wells and site restoration.

Responding to Citizen Complaints - The division responds to questions or complaints within 24 hours either by telephone or in person. Inspectors are available to act on emergencies, such as well or tank fires that are a threat to public health or safety.

Some of the most common complaints to which the division responds include:

  • Oil Spills – Division inspectors respond to reported oil spills and coordinate remediation of contaminated streams or ponds with the Ohio EPA and the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

  • Gas Leaks – Oil and gas regulations prohibit leakage of gas from wells or production equipment.

  • Brine Disposal – Oil and gas law prohibits the discharge of brine, a highly saline by-product of oil and gas drilling and production, into soils, surface or ground waters.

  • Safety – Wells and oil storage tanks (constructed after 1969) must be located more than 100 feet from any inhabited structure, and more than 50 feet from the traveled portion of a road.

  • Idle Wells – Wells which are, or become incapable of producing oil or gas in commercial quantities must be properly plugged, unless the well is supplying gas for domestic use, or is being used for some other lawful purpose.

  • Well or Tank Fires – When a fire occurs, the local fire department should be called. However, division inspectors often assist firefighters by advising them about potential hazards and serving as a liaison between the firefighters and the well owner.

  • Inspecting Well Drilling Operations - Division inspectors witness critical phases of well drilling operations to ensure the safety of citizens and protection of soil and water resources.

  • Inspecting Well Plugging Operations - Ohio well plugging regulations state that upon abandonment, every well must be plugged in a manner that confines oil, gas or water in the reservoir rock in which it occurs or originates.

  • Well owners are required to notify division inspectors before beginning plugging operations. Before a well plugging operation starts, division inspectors must approve plugging materials, methods and a plugging plan for each well in non-coal bearing areas based upon records of site-specific geology and well construction.

Inspecting Restoration Approval - After a well is drilled or plugged, the owner is required by law to restore the site within the following time frames:

  • Five months from the date drilling began, the well owner/agent shall empty and fill in all pits;

  • Nine months from the date drilling began, the well owner/agent shall plant, seed or sod the land disturbed, where necessary, to bind the soil and prevent substantial erosion and sedimentation;

  • Six month after a well is plugged for abandonment, the well owner/agent shall remove all storage structures, supplies and equipment, fill in remaining excavations and grade or terrace and plant, seed or sod the land disturbed, where necessary, to bind the soil and prevent substantial erosion and sedimentation.

Enforcing the Law to Correct Violations - When a well owner fails to meet requirements established by law, DMRM has a variety of enforcement options to gain compliance. The division generally maintains a standard operating procedure of escalating enforcement measures from informal to formal, depending upon the nature of the violation.

When informal measures are unsuccessful or a violation endangers public health and safety or the owner demonstrates flagrant disregard for the law, more formal enforcement measures are used. The division chief has the authority to issue orders or file civil or criminal enforcement actions, if necessary, to correct a violation.

Inspectors observe and document conditions of each well and inspect them for leaking oil and gas. Inspectors observe, document conditions of each well, and inspect them.

Inspectors are on site to approve all well plugging methods, materials and plans before plugging operations begin
Inspectors are on site to approve all well plugging methods, materials and plans before plugging operations begin.

Inspectors enforce the law to correct violations
Inspectors enforce the law to correct violations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Find an Inspector close to you

Are You At Risk from abandoned oil and gas wells? View brochure (pdf)

Oil and Gas Field Enforcement (pdf)