Administrative Policy 2-05 Oil & Gas Drilling Permit Procedures

DATE: October 31, 1987

SUBJECT: OIL AND GAS DRILLING PERMIT PROCEDURES AND ENFORCEMENT OF CITY CODE PROVISIONS

PURPOSE: To set forth procedures for submission of and staff review of permits to drill and operate oil and gas wells, and to provide guidelines for the enforcement of Lawton City Code requirements as to the drilling, operation, and maintenance of oil and gas wells.

BACKGROUND: The City has adopted an ordinance which regulates the drilling and extraction of oil and gas within the city limits and within City-owned property surrounding Lake Ellsworth and Lake Lawtonka. Said ordinance provides for a permit procedure and inspection of wells and enforcement of the ordinance by the City.

PROCEDURES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Permit procedures

a. Application packets for permits to drill and operate an oil or gas well shall be kept by the Finance Department, and applicants shall be able to obtain such application packets form License and Permits.

b. An application, once completed by an applicant, shall be returned to License and Permits and the permit fee shall be paid. The application shall be immediately forwarded to the Right-of-Way Agent. Upon determining that the application is complete, the Right-of-Way Agent shall route the application through the following departments for approval or disapproval: Planning, Engineering, Parks and Recreation, Finance and the City Attorney. Once the Right-of-Way Agent determines the application is complete, the approval or disapproval procedures shall be completed within forty-five (45) days. Any delays shall be reported to the City Manager.

c. Each department shall review said application and approve or disapprove it based on the following considerations:

(1) Right-of-Way Agent: Shall approve the application if the documents set forth in the application have been attached.

(2) Planning: Shall approve an application if the proposed oil or gas well site complies with all well location requirements.

(3) Engineering: Shall approve an application if the proposed oil and gas well complies with all casing, retaining wall, berm and tank battery enclosure requirements and complies with good engineering practices.

(4) Parks and Recreation: Shall approve an application if the proposed oil or gas well site complies with all well location requirements for the Lake areas and the proposed well site does not pose an imminent threat to the Lake Ellsworth or Lake Lawtonka water supply.

(5) Finance: Shall approve an application if the permit fee has been paid. Further, if the applicant has requested use of City water for the drilling operations, Finance shall not approve an application unless the applicant has obtained a meter from and opened a water account with the City.

(6) City Attorney: Shall approve an application if it complies with all City Code requirements and is legal as to form.

d. Upon approval of an application by the City Attorney, the Right-of-Way Agent shall assign a permit number and notify the applicant of approval.

e. If the application is disapproved, the Right-of-Way Agent shall notify the applicant. Further, the permit fee, less one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be refunded when the denial becomes final.

f. The Right-of-Way Agent shall be responsible for keeping all applications on file.

g. The City Manager shall be informed of approval of all applications.

2. Enforcement procedures:

a. The lake patrolmen shall have primary responsibility for enforcement of the ordinance in the Lake Ellsworth and Lake Lawtonka areas.

b. Building and Safety shall have primary responsibility for enforcement of the ordinance within the city limits.

c. The lake patrolmen and Building and Safety shall coordinate with any other appropriate City employee necessary to enforce the ordinance. For example, the Engineering Department, Planning Department, Fire Department or Health Department may be required to assist in inspection of a well and enforcement of this ordinance, depending on the situation.

d. Any complaints in regard to any oil or gas well in the Lake Ellsworth and Lake Lawtonka areas shall be referred to the Parks and Recreation Department. Any complaints in regard to any well within the City limits shall be referred to Building and Safety.

e. Inspections of each oil or gas well may be conducted at any time, but shall be conducted at least once every three months. During drilling operations, inspections shall occur on a frequent basis. A written inspection report shall be submitted every three months to the Right-of-Way Agent.

f. Lake patrolmen and Building and Safety inspectors shall have the authority to issue a citation for any violation of the ordinance.

g. Lake patrolmen, Building and Safety inspectors, or other appropriate City employees shall have the authority to order immediate remedial action if a hazard to life, natural resources or property exists. The lake patrolmen, Building and Safety inspectors, or other appropriate City employees shall immediately report said situation to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission representative for Comanche County and to the City Manager.

h. (1) If a lake patrolmen or other appropriate City employee determines that the situation constitutes an imminent threat to safety and that prompt cessation of all activity at the well site is necessary, he shall immediately report said situation to:

(a) The Oklahoma Corporation Commission representative for Comanche County;

(b) The City Manager; and

(c) The permit holder.

(2) An order to cease operations, if necessary, shall be drafted by the City Attorney and approved by the City Manager or designated employee.

REFERENCES: Lawton City Ordinance No. 87-31

RESCISSION: This policy becomes effective October 1, 1987, and will remain in effect until rescinded.

____________________________

MELISSA BYRNE VOSSMER

CITY MANAGER