62C-25.006. Permits

Each person who conducts geophysical surveys (unless exempted by Rule 62C-26.007, F.A.C.), drills an oil or gas related well (Rule 62C-26.003, F.A.C.), or operates an oil or gas related well (Rule 62C-26.008, F.A.C.), shall first obtain a permit from the Department.

(1) Ordinarily a single permit will be issued for drilling a well and either transporting test oil or injecting test fluids for a period of 90 days after testing is commenced. However, the Department reserves the right, on a well by well basis and depending on health and human safety or environmental sensitivity, to restrict a permit to drilling only and to require an operator to return to seek an operating permit (Oil & Gas Form 14) for transportation of test oil or injection of test fluids.

(2) Operating Permits (Oil & Gas Form 14; http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-02455, effective date 4-29-13) are required for each well not plugged and abandoned and shall be valid for the life of the well. However, every five years from the date of the permit, the Department shall perform a comprehensive field inspection and file review for each such well and operating permit to verify full compliance. Operating permits are written to authorize operators to use wells for their intended purpose and should be obtained during the testing phase.

(3) Existing permits authorizing the transportation of produced fluids from lease or the injection of fluids into subsurface formations are operating permits and must be re-certified in accordance with Rule 62C-26.008, F.A.C., within 5 years of the effective date of this subsection.

(4) Copies of permit application forms may be obtained by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Oil and Gas Regulatory Program, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/mines/oil_gas/forms.htm. Permit application forms shall be filed as required below:

(a) All persons seeking a permit to drill an oil or gas related well shall apply on Oil & Gas Form 3, Application for Permit to Drill, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-02453, effective date 4-29-13, hereby incorporated by reference.

(b) All persons seeking a permit to conduct geophysical operations shall apply on Oil & Gas Form 4, Application for Permit to Perform Geophysical Exploration, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-02454, effective date 4-29-13, hereby incorporated by reference and must meet all of the requirements for geophysical operators as specified in Rule 62C-26.007, F.A.C.

(c) Each well owner or operator intending to retain any new well as an oil and gas production well or service well, shall apply at least 60 days prior to drilling permit expiration for an operating permit on Oil & Gas Form 14, Application For Permit to Operate Well.

(5) The Department of Environmental Protection, Oil and Gas Regulatory Program, prefers electronic submittal of permit application materials.

Rulemaking Authority 377.22 FS. Law Implemented 377.24 FS. History–New 11-26-81, Amended 8-1-83, Formerly 16C-25.06, Amended 6-4-89, 5-12-93, Formerly 16C-25.006, Amended 4-29-13.