Title 11 . Natural Resources

Chapter 83 . (No Regulations Filed)

Section 343. Unit plan of development

11 AAC 83.343. Unit plan of development

(a) A unit plan of development must be filed for approval as an exhibit to the unit agreement if a participating area is proposed for the unit area under 11 AAC 83.351, or when a reservoir has become sufficiently delineated so that a prudent operator would initiate development activities in that reservoir. All development operations must be conducted under an approved plan of development. A unit plan of development must contain sufficient information for the commissioner to determine whether the plan is consistent with the provisions of 11 AAC 83.303. The plan must include a description of the proposed development activities based on data reasonably available at the time the plan is submitted for approval as well as plans for the exploration or delineation of any land in the unit not included in a participating area. The plan must include, to the extent available information exists

(1) long-range proposed development activities for the unit, including plans to delineate all underlying oil or gas reservoirs, bring the reservoirs into production, and maintain and enhance production once established;

(2) plans for the exploration or delineation of any land in the unit not included in a participating area;

(3) details of the proposed operations for at least one year following submission of the plan; and

(4) the surface location of proposed facilities, drill pads, roads, docks, causeways, material sites, base camps, waste disposal sites, water supplies, airstrips, and any other operation or facility necessary for unit operations.

(b) The commissioner will approve the unit plan of development if it complies with the provisions of 11 AAC 83.303. If the proposed unit plan of development is disapproved, the commissioner will, in his discretion, propose modifications which, if accepted by the unit operator, would qualify the plan for approval.

(c) The unit plan of development must be updated and submitted to the commissioner for approval at least 90 days before the expiration date of the previously approved plan, as set out in that plan. The update must describe the extent to which the requirements of the previously approved plan were achieved; if actual operations deviated from or did not comply with the previously approved plan, an explanation of the deviation or noncompliance must be included in the update. The commissioner will approve the updated unit plan of development if it complies with the provisions of 11 AAC 83.303. If the proposed update of a unit plan of development is disapproved, the commissioner will, in his discretion, propose modifications which, if accepted by the unit operator, would qualify the plan for approval. Within 10 days after receipt of an updated unit plan of development, the commissioner will inform the unit operator as to whether the proposed unit plan of development is complete. After the commissioner has determined that an updated unit plan of development is complete as submitted, or as modified by the unit operator following the commissioner's suggestions, the commissioner will have an additional 60 days in which to approve or disapprove the plan; if no action is taken by the commissioner, the update of the unit plan of development is approved.

(d) The unit operator shall submit an annual report to the commissioner describing the operations conducted under the unit plan of development during the preceding year.

(e) The unit operator may, with the approval of the commissioner, amend an approved plan of development.

History: Eff. 6/28/81, Register 78; am 3/18/83, Register 85

Authority: AS 38.05.020

AS 38.05.145

AS 38.05.180