(a) Any person, copartnership, corporation, owner, lessee, or manager in possession of any well producing natural gas, in order to prevent the gas from wasting by escape shall, within four (4) days after penetrating the gas-bearing sand in any well drilled, shut in and confine the gas in the well until the gas therein shall be utilized for light, fuel, or steam power.
(b)
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation having possession or control of any gas well, whether as contractor, owner, lessee, or manager, to allow or permit the flow of natural gas of any such well to flow into the open air without being confined to such well or pipe or other safe receptacles for a longer period than three (3) days after the gas shall have been struck and produced in that well.
(2) If the well cannot be confined within three (3) days, the person controlling the well shall continue with the utmost diligence to confine it as soon as possible.
(c) Failure to comply with subsection (b) of this section shall subject the person failing to the penalties and procedure set out in § 15-72-202 (b).