What is a New Well? Exploring Its Legal Definition and Significance

Q: Why does the date February 19, 1977, matter?

This date marks the cutoff for determining whether a well is classified as new based on drilling activity.

Q: What should I do if my well qualifies as a new well?

Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and consider using legal templates for documentation.

Definition & Meaning

A "new well" refers to a well that meets specific criteria outlined in legal statutes. According to US law, a new well is defined as:

Any well where the surface drilling began on or after February 19, 1977.
Any well that has had its depth increased through drilling on or after February 19, 1977, to a completion location at least 1,000 feet deeper than the deepest completion location achieved before February 19, 1977.

This definition is important in the context of natural gas policy and regulation.

Table of content

Legal Use & context

The term "new well" is primarily used in the context of natural resource law and energy regulation. It is relevant in areas such as:

Natural gas policy
Environmental law
Energy regulation

Understanding this term can help users navigate legal forms and procedures related to drilling and resource extraction. Users can benefit from US Legal Forms' templates for legal documents related to drilling and well management.

Key legal elements

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Here are a couple of examples to illustrate the concept of a new well:

Example 1: A drilling company begins a new project in 2020, starting the surface drilling of a well. This well is classified as a new well due to the drilling date.
Example 2: An existing well from 1975 undergoes significant drilling in 2022, reaching a new depth of 1,200 feet beyond its previous maximum. This well is also considered a new well under the law. (hypothetical example)

Relevant laws & statutes

The primary legal reference for the definition of a new well is found in:

15 USCS § 3301 (3) - This statute outlines the definition and criteria for new wells in relation to natural gas policy.

Comparison with related terms

Term	Definition
New Well	A well drilled or deepened after February 19, 1977, meeting specific depth criteria.
Existing Well	A well that was drilled before February 19, 1977, or has not been significantly deepened since that date.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are involved in drilling or managing a well, consider the following steps:

Verify whether your well qualifies as a new well based on the criteria provided.
Consult local regulations to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
Explore US Legal Forms for templates that can assist you in creating necessary legal documents related to well management.
If your situation is complex, consider seeking professional legal assistance.

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Quick facts

Attribute	Details
Definition	A well drilled or deepened after February 19, 1977, meeting specific criteria.
Key Date	February 19, 1977
Depth Requirement	At least 1,000 feet deeper than previous completions.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What is a new well?

A new well is one that was drilled or deepened after February 19, 1977, meeting specific legal criteria.