Special Projects and Research Projects

PURPOSE: The oil and gas reserves of the state at any one (1) time consist of that fraction of discovered oil and gas that can be economically recovered using existing technology. Since optimum recovery is dependent upon engineering and scientific achievements as well as economics, any development of new processes represents an increase in oil and gas reserves as well as an improvement in oil and gas conservation practices. By carefully matching recovery processes to individual reservoirs, it should be possible to greatly extend the potential that exists in unconventional oil and gas deposits of Missouri. This rule permits the state geologist and the council to give special consideration to development of potential resources such as these. (1) To encourage development of economic recovery of oil and gas reserves in the state, in particular the research and development leading to economic recovery of unconventional oil and gas reserves, research or special projects whose objective is to devise and develop methods may be approved by the state geologist as units complete within themselves. Unit approval may be obtained by submitting to the state geologist a project report specifying all pertinent details of the proposed research or development project. Blanket approval for an application for a permit to drill wells may be granted at the discretion of the state geologist, provided the location and numbers of the wells are anticipated with a reasonable degree of accuracy. (2) No well drilled as an oil or gas well shall be drilled closer than approximately one hundred sixty-five feet (165') to a unit boundary. (3) Reports of the pertinent details of overall project operation shall be submitted quarterly to the state geologist for his or her study and use. Confidentiality may be granted upon written request as required in 10 CSR 501.020. AUTHORITY: section 259.060, RSMo 2000, and section 259.070, RSMo Supp. 2015.* Original rule filed Sept. 12, 1973, effective Sept. 22, 1973. Amended: Filed Sept. 15, 2015, effective March 30, 2016. *Original authority: 259.120, RSMo 1965, amended 1972 and 259.070, RSMo 1965, amended 1972, 1983, 1987, 1993, 1995, 2012, 2015.