Sec. 1. (a) An owner or operator shall plug and abandon a well that:
(1) is completed as a nonproductive well;
(2) ceases to produce oil or natural gas; or
(3) is no longer operated for the purpose for which the well is permitted;
unless the owner or operator is authorized to delay the plugging and abandonment of the well under section 8 of this chapter.
(b) The department may assess a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) against an owner or operator of a well who:
(1) ceases to operate the well; and
(2) knowingly fails to plug and abandon the well in violation of subsection (a).
(c) An owner or operator who knowingly or intentionally violates this section commits a Level 6 felony if the violation or failure to comply relates to the operation of a Class II well.
(d) A civil penalty assessed under this section shall be deposited in the oil and gas environmental fund established by IC 14-37-10-2.
(e) Each day that the well remains not plugged and not abandoned constitutes a separate violation of subsection (a).
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-8-10-1.]
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.30. Amended by P.L.195-2014, SEC.40.