Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Energy
Board
Department of Energy
 
chapter
Gas and Oil Regulation [4 VAC 25 ‑ 150]
Guidance Documents
Chapter Information
Description This regulation requires operators of gas and oil wells, coreholes, gathering pipelines, and associated facilities to meet minimum standards for control of water pollution from well and corehole drilling, well and pipeline operations, and the land disturbances required to develop these facilities. It also requires control of blasting on permitted sites and for the proper management and disposal of drill cuttings, drilling fluids, produced fluids, and other waste materials. Additionally it requires the control of leakage and venting of gas from pipelines and wells, for the proper plugging of wells and coreholes, and for the control of other practices that may cause off-site disturbances.
State Authority 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-361.27
Federal Authority None entered
Exempt from APA No, changes to this chapter are subject to the Administrative Process Act.
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Goals of Regulation 1. To protect the safety of the public and environment by establishing gas and oil operations and reclamation requirements through bonding and permitting requirements.

2. To protect the environment, ground water resources, and adjacent properties through enforcement of law and regulations.

3. To protect the safety of personnel at coalbed methane operations through enforcement of safety standards and coordination with other jurisdictional agencies.
Meetings See all meetings (5) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Michael Skiffington  / Regulatory Coordinator
Address: Department of Energy
1100 Bank Street, 8th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-3402
Email Address: mike.skiffington@energy.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)692-3212    FAX: (804)692-3237    TDD: (800)828-1120
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
None

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Regulatory action to reflect agency name change and recodification of Title 45.1 Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/31/2022.
Expanding disclosure of ingredients used in well stimulation & completion & reviewing best practices Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/28/2016.
Amendments regarding the regulation of gas and oil Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/10/2013.
Amendment to accept the Virginia Coordinate System of 1983 instead of the Virginia Coordinate System of 1927 Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/11/2008.
Promulgation of Virginia Gas and Oil Regulation
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/01/2003.

Periodic Reviews
Last Activity Status
4/4/2023 Filed Pending
12/12/2007 Agency Completed Amend
12/12/2007 Agency Completed Amend