060-18 Wyo. Code R. §§ 18-9 - [Effective 10/24/2024] Unit or Cooperative Plans and Agreements

(a) All leases are issued subject to the right of the Director to require a cooperative plan or unit agreement if the Director determines that participation is necessary to protect the state's interest.

(b) Any person may request that state lands be included in a cooperative or unit plan for exploration, development, operation, and production of oil and gas through the following procedure:

(i) The proponent of the plan or agreement shall submit to the Office two (2) copies of a plat showing the area to be unitized, together with such geological and other information as may exist and be available, in support of the delineation of the area sought for unitization or cooperative development. The Office shall hold the information submitted confidential until released by the proponent.

(ii) The proponent shall submit to the Office:

(A) Two (2) copies of the preliminary draft of the agreement for approval as to form;

(B) A copy of the schedule of interest ownership by tract and, upon request, any operating agreement, accounting agreement, or other pertinent documents affecting the plan or agreement;

(C) The fee established by the Board in Chapter 17 of the Board's rules.

(iii) If the form is acceptable to the Office, the unit or cooperative plan meets the requirements of W.S. 36-6-101(d) and (k), and all leases sought for commitment are in good standing, the Director will approve the agreement. If approved, it will be duly executed using the Board's "Approval-Certification-Determination" form.

(iv) If the Director approves the agreement, the proponent of the agreement shall submit for execution as many counterpart joinder copies as are required for all parties in interest, including one copy to be delivered when fully executed to the Office and any final form of agreement if different from the draft submitted.

(c) When only part of the land under a non-producing lease is committed to a unit, the portion not committed shall be segregated.

(d) An oil and gas lease which has once been extended beyond its primary term under W.S. W.S. W.S. 36-6-101(e) will not be committed to a subsequent unit or cooperative agreement.

(e) The Board shall use its "Approval-Certification-Determination" form to join unit or cooperative plans.

(f) Board joinder in a unit or cooperative plan shall not alter the rental or royalty clauses of any state lease involved.

(g) Unless the Director specifically requires a lessee to participate, joinder by the Board shall not become effective until the lessee has also joined the unit.

Notes

060-18 Wyo. Code R. §§ 18-9

Amended, Eff. 6/26/2024, exp. 10/24/2024 (Emergency).