Sec. 1. (a) An owner or operator shall plug and abandon a well that:

(1) is completed as a nonproductive well;

Attorney's Note

Under the Indiana Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Level 6 felonybetween 6 mos. and 2 1/2 yearsup to $10,000
For details, see Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7
(2) ceases to produce oil or natural gas; or

(3) is no longer operated for the purpose for which the well is permitted;

unless the owner or operator is authorized to delay the plugging and abandonment of the well under section 8 of this chapter.

     (b) The department may assess a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) against an owner or operator of a well who:

(1) ceases to operate the well; and

(2) knowingly fails to plug and abandon the well in violation of subsection (a).

     (c) An owner or operator who knowingly or intentionally violates this section commits a Level 6 felony if the violation or failure to comply relates to the operation of a Class II well.

     (d) A civil penalty assessed under this section shall be deposited in the oil and gas environmental fund established by IC 14-37-10-2.

     (e) Each day that the well remains not plugged and not abandoned constitutes a separate violation of subsection (a).

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-8-10-1.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.30. Amended by P.L.195-2014, SEC.40.