(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all the well records, including production records, of an owner or operator that are filed pursuant to this chapter are public records for purposes of the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(2) Those records are public records when filed with the division, unless the owner or operator requests, in writing, that the division maintain the well records as confidential information. The confidential period shall not exceed five years from the cessation of drilling operations as specified in subdivision (e).

(3) Well records that are maintained as confidential information by the division shall be open to inspection by those persons whom the owner or operator authorizes in writing. Confidential status shall not apply to state officers charged with regulating well operations, the director, or as provided in subdivision (c).

(4) On receipt by the supervisor of a written request documenting extenuating circumstances relating to a particular well, including a well on an expired or terminated lease, the supervisor may extend the period of confidentiality for six months. The total period of confidentiality, including all extensions, shall not exceed seven years from the cessation of drilling operations as specified in subdivision (e), unless the director approves a longer period after a 30-day public notice and comment period. The director shall initiate and conduct a public hearing on receipt of a written complaint.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the well records shall become public records when the supervisor is notified that the lease has expired or terminated.

(c) Production reports filed pursuant to Section 3745 shall be open to inspection by the State Board of Equalization or its duly appointed representative when making a survey pursuant to § 1815 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or when valuing state-assessed property pursuant to § 755 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and by the assessor of the county in which a well referred to in Section 3745 is located.

(d) For the purposes of this section, “well records” does not include either experimental logs and tests or interpretive data not generally available to all operators, as defined by the supervisor by regulation.

(e) For purposes of this section, the cessation of drilling operations occurs on the date of removal of drilling machinery from the well site.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 369. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)