NRS522.040. Powers and duties of Division.

  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 522.119:

      1.  The Division has jurisdiction and authority over all persons and property, public and private, necessary to effectuate the purposes and intent of this chapter.

      2.  The Division shall make investigation to determine whether waste exists or is imminent, or whether other facts exist which justify or require action by it.

      3.  The Division shall adopt regulations, make orders and take other appropriate action to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

      4.  The Division may:

      (a) Require:

             (1) Identification or ownership of wells, producing leases, tanks, plants and drilling structures.

             (2) The making and filing of reports, well logs and directional surveys. Logs of exploratory or “wildcat” wells marked “confidential” must be kept confidential for 6 months after the filing thereof, unless the owner gives written permission to release those logs at an earlier date.

             (3) The drilling, casing and plugging of wells in such a manner as to prevent the escape of oil or gas out of one stratum into another, the intrusion of water into an oil or gas stratum, the pollution of fresh water supplies by oil, gas or salt water, and to prevent blowouts, cavings, seepages and fires.

             (4) The furnishing of a reasonable bond with good and sufficient surety conditioned for the performance of the duty to plug each dry or abandoned well or the repair of wells causing waste.

             (5) The operation of wells with efficient gas-oil and water-oil ratios, and to fix these ratios.

             (6) The gauging or other measuring of oil and gas to determine the quality and quantity thereof.

             (7) That every person who produces oil or gas in this State keep and maintain for a period of 5 years within this State complete and accurate record of the quantities thereof, which must be available for examination by the Division or its agents at all reasonable times.

      (b) Regulate, for conservation purposes:

             (1) The drilling, producing and plugging of wells.

             (2) The shooting and chemical treatment of wells.

             (3) The spacing of wells.

             (4) The disposal of salt water, nonpotable water and oil field wastes.

             (5) The contamination or waste of underground water.

      (c) Classify wells as oil or gas wells for purposes material to the interpretation or enforcement of this chapter.

      [4:202:1953]—(NRS A 1977, 1151; 1981, 86; 1983, 2079; 1993, 1689; 2013, 2776)