55-177. Removal of structures and abutments from lands after abandoning wells; exception.
55-177
55-177. Removal of structures and abutments from lands afterabandoning wells; exception.(a) Leaving the surface of lands with a part of the operating structure orother equipment intact after abandoning oil or gas wells is against publicpolicy, and constitutes a public nuisance, and shall be hereafterprohibited. Whenever any lease operator abandons any oil or gas well,the lease operator, within six months thereafter, shall remove any rig,derrick or other operating structure, and all abutments and otherobstacles of every kind or size used in the operation of such oil or gaslease, from the land upon which the well was theretofore operated, and shallgrade the surface of the soil in such manner as to leave the land, as nearlyas practicable, in the same condition afterthe removal of such structures, equipment and obstacles as it was beforesuch structures and abutments were placed thereon, unless the owner of theland and the abandoning party have entered into a contract providing otherwise.
(b) Any person, firm, association, partnership or corporation violating theprovisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and uponconviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than$100 nor more than $500.
History: L. 1986, ch. 201, § 29; July 1.