055-5 Wyo. Code R. §§ 5-17 - Removal of Abandoned Oil Field Equipment

(a) When oil field equipment has been abandoned, as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2, the Commission may, after notice and a hearing, deem the equipment abandoned and dispose of the equipment by public sale or by transferring title to the contractor who performs the plugging and reclamation for the Commission. In doing so, the Commission shall proceed as follows:

(i) Provide notice to the Owner of the well, as identified on Form 7 (Change of Owner), the Operator as identified on Form 6 (Designation of Operator), and to lien holders as reflected by the lien filing records of the Wyoming Secretary of State and the County Clerk of the county in which the equipment is located;

(ii) Check the lien filings with the Secretary of State and County Clerk within thirty (30) days prior to giving this notice:

(A) Notice shall be sent by certified mail to the Owner's and Operator's address of record with the Commission, or the Wyoming Secretary of State's corporation record, and to the lien holder's address of record as reflected by the lien document.

(B) The notice shall advise the parties of the general description and location of the equipment and that, if the equipment is not removed within thirty (30) days of the mailing of notice, the Commission will deem it abandoned, and transfer possession and ownership of the equipment to the Commission or to the person who plugs the well, reclaims the drill site, or who will remove the equipment.

(b) If the equipment is not removed within the thirty (30) days, the Commission may set the matter for hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be mailed by certified mail to the Owner/Operator and lien holders, as determined above, at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. Notice to remove the equipment and notice of hearing before the Commission may be combined.

(c) After a hearing, and upon proof of compliance with the above procedures, the Commission may find the equipment has been abandoned and issue an order which transfers ownership of the equipment, free and clear, to the Commission or to the person who reclaims the drill site, plugs the well, or removes the equipment.

Notes

055-5 Wyo. Code R. §§ 5-17

Amended, Eff. 1/22/2018. Amended, Eff. 6/22/2022.