Section 1509.23 | Health and safety rules for drilling of wells and production of oil and gas.
(A) Rules of the chief of the division of oil and gas resources management may specify practices to be followed in the drilling and treatment of wells, production of oil and gas, and plugging of wells for protection of public health or safety or to prevent damage to natural resources, including specification of the following:
(1) Appropriate devices;
(2) Minimum distances that wells and other excavations, structures, and equipment shall be located from water wells, streets, roads, highways, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, other bodies of water, railroad tracks, public or private recreational areas, zoning districts, and buildings or other structures. Rules adopted under this division shall not conflict with section 1509.021 of the Revised Code.
(3) Other methods of operation;
(4) Procedures, methods, and equipment and other requirements for equipment to prevent and contain discharges of oil and brine from oil production facilities and oil drilling and workover facilities consistent with and equivalent in scope, content, and coverage to section 311(j)(1)(c) of the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972," 86 Stat. 886, 33 U.S.C.A. 1251, as amended, and regulations adopted under it. In addition, the rules may specify procedures, methods, and equipment and other requirements for equipment to prevent and contain surface and subsurface discharges of fluids, condensates, and gases.
(5) Notifications;
(6) Requirements governing the location and construction of fresh water impoundments that are part of a production operation.
(B) The chief shall not require an owner of a well to cease producing from, or limit production from, the well in order to engage in simultaneous operations on a well pad unless the chief demonstrates good cause to require the owner to cease production or limit production.
Last updated July 6, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Available Versions of this Section
- September 10, 2012 – Senate Bill 315 - 129th General Assembly [ View September 10, 2012 Version ]
- September 29, 2015 – House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly [ View September 29, 2015 Version ]
- September 23, 2026 – Amended by Senate Bill 219 - 136th General Assembly [ View September 23, 2026 Version ]