La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § I-3907

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-3907 - Estimated Damage Deposit

A. Upon filing of the initial biological survey, the board shall determine the amount of the damage estimated to be sustained by the leasehold as a result of the proposed oil and gas activity, and shall notify the parties of the board's determination.

B. Upon a showing of urgent circumstances, the board will expedite to the extent practicable its determination of estimated damage.

C. Upon payment of a deposit with the board of the amount of the damage estimate made by the board, the owner may proceed with the proposed oil and gas activity. The deposit shall be invested with the state treasury as security for payment of any damage award and for payment of interest earned on the amount of the award.

D. If the deposit is not made within 30 days after notice of the board's estimated damage determination, the board may, in its discretion, dismiss the proceeding and order the owner to reimburse the leaseholder the amount of any filing fee paid by him.

E. The owner may, at any time prior to payment of the deposit, withdraw the owner's original request to the leaseholder to enter into a settlement, and proceedings hereunder shall thereupon terminate. Withdrawal shall be effective upon notice to the board and the leaseholder, and upon reimbursement by the owner to the leaseholder of any filing fee paid by him.

F. If, after the deposit is made, the owner does not commence the proposed activity within a reasonable time, the board may, upon hearing, award the leaseholder any filing fee paid by him and the reasonable cost of any survey that may have been separately undertaken by him, pay such award out of the deposit, and return the balance of the deposit to the owner, with interest earned on such balance, and dismiss the proceedings.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § I-3907

Promulgated by Department of Natural Resources, Office of the Secretary, LR 25:309 (February 1999).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:700.10 et seq.