Proposed Changes to Oil & Gas Rules May Put Landowners in Limbo

The Department of Mineral Resources is requesting public input for its proposed changes to state oil and gas rules. The proposed changes will offer guidelines promoting captured carbon dioxide emissions, among other issues. Landowners are concerned that these regulations could cause a problematic delay in reclaiming and plugging old wells, which could lead to environmental issues on their property. Additionally, Derrick Braaten says the new language “would allow operators to breach the terms of a contract signed with landowners to start producing oil by an agreed-upon date.” 

Information about the rules change, including information about public hearings and instructions related to making comments, can be found here. The deadline for comments is 5pm on October 20, 2023. Mineral Resources has scheduled four hearings across the state to discuss the proposed new rules. Bismarck and Dickinson will host the first hearings on October 9, while Williston and Minot will host hearings on October 10. Read more about landowners’ concerns here.