The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the following purposes:
1. To foster, encourage, and promote the safe and efficient exploration for and development, production, utilization, and conservation of the Commonwealth's gas and oil resources;
2. To provide a method of gas and oil conservation for maximizing exploration, development, production, and utilization of gas and oil resources;
3. To recognize and protect the rights of any person owning an interest in gas or oil resources contained within a pool;
4. To ensure the safe recovery of coal and other minerals;
5. To maximize the production and recovery of coal without substantially affecting the right of a gas or oil owner proposing to drill a gas or oil well to explore for and produce gas or oil;
6. To protect the citizens and the environment of the Commonwealth from the public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and production of gas or oil; and
7. To recognize that the use of the surface for gas or oil development shall be only the use that is reasonably necessary to obtain the gas or oil.
1982, c. 347, § 45.1-290; 1990, c. 92, § 45.1-361.3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.