(A) No person shall engage in the drilling and production of gas wells within the city without first obtaining a gas well permit.
(B) A single gas well permit may be obtained for multiple wells if approved by the city. An application for a gas well permit may be filed with the city concurrently with the application for a specific use permit; provided, however, that the city shall not be required to consider the application for a gas well permit unless and until a specific use permit is approved by the City Council.
(C) When a gas well permit has been issued covering a well, the permit shall constitute authority for the following, so long as conducted in strict accordance with this chapter: drilling, operation, production, gathering of production, maintenance, repair, re-working, testing, site preparation consisting of rigs or tank batteries, plugging and abandonment, and any other activity authorized by this chapter associated with drilling or production by the operator or its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors or representatives. A gas well permit shall also constitute authority for the construction and use of all facilities reasonably necessary or convenient in connection therewith by the operator or his or her employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors or representatives, so long as constructed and used in strict accordance with this chapter.
(D) An original gas well permit shall not, however, constitute authority for the re-entering and drilling of an abandoned well. Re-entry and drilling of an abandoned well shall require a new gas well permit.
(E) A gas well permit may be issued for any lot, tract, or other parcel of property, and public utilities may be extended or connected to serve the drill site, whether or not the lot, tract, or other parcel of property is part of a recorded plat.
(F) In addition to obtaining a gas well permit, each operator must obtain all other required permits applicable to the proposed operation, including, but not limited to, above-ground storage tank permits, gas detection system permits, foam/water line assembly permits, irrigation permits, and electrical permits, from the applicable city departments and remit all necessary fees before the work to be permitted may commence.
(G) An approved gas well permit shall expire after 180 days from the date of its issuance unless the drilling of one or more wells under the permit has commenced. A gas well permit may be extended one time by the Gas Well Inspector for an additional 180 days upon request by the operator if:
(1) The regulatory standards set forth in this chapter have not changed as applied to the subject permit; and
(2) The request is submitted prior to the expiration of the original permit.
(Ord. OR-1942-15, passed 3-23-15) Penalty, see § 114.99