Section 79.16. Deviation in drilling

(a) The maximum point at which a well penetrates the producing formation may not unreasonably vary from the vertical drawn from the center of the hole at the surface. Deviation is permitted to straighten the hole, sidetrace junk, correct mechanical difficulties or to achieve geological objectives permitted by the act.

(b) No drilled well may be intentionally deviated from the vertical in order to intersect the producing horizon outside the area permitted by the spacing order, unless the deviation is authorized by a permit under the Oil and Gas Act (58 P. S. § § 601.101—601.605). Upon completion of an intentionally deviated well, a complete angular deviation and directional survey of the well, obtained by a responsible well surveying company, shall be filed with the Department together with other regularly required reports.

The provisions of this § 79.16 adopted August 12, 1971, effective August 13, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1726; amended July 28, 1989, effective July 29, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 3229. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (78964).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 79.16 amended under the Oil and Gas Act (58 P. S. § § 601.101—601.605); the Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act (58 P. S. § § 501—518); the Oil and Gas Conservation Law (58 P. S. § § 401—419); Article XIX-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § § 510-1—510-108); The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. § § 691.1—691.1001); and the Solid Waste Management Act (35 P. S. § § 6018.101—6018.1003).