SB 132: Corporation Commission; clarifying jurisdiction of Corporation Commission; directing operators of idle gas wells to plug or produce from certain wells by certain time. Emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift from House to Senate floor version, changing the effective date to March 6, 2025, and adding a new sponsor from the House. The core policy changes redefine 'idle gas wells' to 'shut-in gas wells' and adjust plugging timelines from 10 years to 7 years for shut-in wells. The reduction schedule for shut-in wells remains similar but applies to the new definition.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed by redefining the target wells from 'idle gas wells' to 'shut-in gas wells' and shortening the maximum shut-in period from 10 years to 7 years.

DEFINITION

Changed 'idle gas well' definition to 'shut-in gas well' to better specify wells that are mechanically capable of production but not currently producing.

TIMELINE

Reduced the maximum period a shut-in gas well can remain shut-in from 10 years to 7 years.

Changed document date from 1st Session of 60th Legislature (2025) to March 6, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Added House sponsor Boles to the bill sponsors list.

REQUIREMENT

Modified plugging requirements to apply to shut-in gas wells with a 7-year maximum shut-in period instead of idle wells with a 10-year period.

Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change terminology from 'shut-in gas wells' to 'idle gas wells' and updated the definition of an idle well to require no commercial production for ten years. The amendments also added new definitions for 'nonproducing well', 'shut-in', and 'temporarily abandoned' to clarify regulatory language and expanded the Commission's authority to grant exceptions based on future use potential including carbon storage and geothermal energy.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded to include carbon storage and geothermal energy generation as valid reasons for nonproduction when determining if a well is idle.

DEFINITION

Changed 'shut-in gas well' to 'idle gas well' and redefined it as a well with no commercial production for ten years, rather than one capable of production by opening valves.

Added new definitions for 'nonproducing well', 'shut-in', and 'temporarily abandoned' to provide clearer regulatory distinctions.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility for exceptions to include evidence of future use for carbon storage and geothermal energy generation.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the plugging requirements to apply to idle wells rather than shut-in wells, changing the criteria for determining which wells must be plugged.

Senate Conference Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was reclassified from a Conference Committee Substitute to a Committee Substitute, indicating a procedural change in how the legislation was finalized. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, focusing on plugging idle gas wells and shut-in gas wells in Oklahoma.

TECHNICAL

The document title and header were changed from 'CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' to 'COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE', reflecting a procedural adjustment in the legislative process.

The bill's summary was shortened and simplified, removing detailed references to specific plugging schedules and jurisdiction clarifications while retaining core purposes.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'idle gas well' was replaced with a new definition for 'shut-in gas well', changing terminology from 'idle' to 'shut-in' for wells capable of production.

TIMELINE

Plugging deadlines for shut-in gas wells were adjusted, with new schedules set for July 1, 2028, 2031, and 2035 to reduce or eliminate shut-in wells.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision allows shut-in gas wells to remain shut-in for up to seven years, providing additional flexibility compared to previous requirements.

Requirements for operators with wells shut-in prior to the act's effective date were modified to provide a ten-year window to plug or produce from such wells.

House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill → Senate Conference Committee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a House Committee Substitute to a Senate Conference Committee Substitute, changing the title from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Conference Committee Substitute' and updating the bill number reference. The substantive policy content regarding well plugging requirements, timelines, and definitions appears to remain consistent between the two versions, with only minor formatting and numbering adjustments.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the document reflects a procedural revision between legislative committees.

TECHNICAL

Document title changed from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Conference Committee Substitute' to reflect the legislative stage.

Bill number formatting adjusted from 'SENATE BILL NO. 132' to 'SENATE BILL 132'.

Page numbering and request numbers updated from 'Req. No. 13607' to 'Req. No. 2150'.

Section numbering and formatting adjusted throughout the document to align with conference committee standards.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to strengthen regulations on plugging idle gas wells in Oklahoma. The House Committee Substitute tightens the definition of idle wells, extends the time period for determining idleness from seven to ten years, and establishes stricter reduction timelines for operators with multiple idle wells. The changes aim to reduce the number of non-producing wells more aggressively while maintaining exceptions for wells with future production potential or public safety concerns.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from regulating abandoned idle oil and gas wells to specifically targeting idle gas wells with stricter reduction requirements for operators holding multiple such wells.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of an idle gas well from no commercial production for seven years to ten years, making it easier for wells to be classified as idle and subject to plugging requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for operators with multiple idle gas wells to reduce their count by 25% by July 1, 2028, 50% by July 1, 2031, and eliminate all remaining idle wells by July 1, 2035.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the exception criteria for idle wells, now requiring demonstration of good cause including future use for production, injection, carbon storage, or geothermal energy generation.

TIMELINE

Extended the transition period for existing idle wells from ten years to align with the new ten-year definition of idleness, while maintaining the same effective date of November 1, 2025.

Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised from a full committee substitute to a policy committee substitute, primarily updating the bill number and tracking information. The substantive policy content regarding well plugging requirements, timelines, and definitions remained unchanged between these two versions.

TECHNICAL

Bill version changed from 'FULLPCS1' (full committee substitute) to 'POLPCS1' (policy committee substitute) with updated timestamps.

Request number changed from 13583 to 13435, indicating a new tracking number for the policy committee version.

Date changed from April 22, 2025 to April 8, 2025, reflecting the policy committee's review date.

Removed 'OVERSIGHT' descriptor from the committee substitute title, simplifying the document classification.

Minor formatting adjustments to line numbers and spacing throughout the document.

Enrolled (final version) → Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten by the House Committee, replacing the original Senate version. The new version simplifies the plugging requirements, changes the definition of idle wells, and establishes a phased timeline for reducing idle gas wells by 2028, 2031, and 2035.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly altered. The original version had more detailed requirements for operators, while the committee substitute streamlines the language and changes how 'idle wells' are defined and counted.

DEFINITION

Changed 'idle gas well' definition to include both oil and natural gas, and added criteria about future use justification.

TIMELINE

Established specific deadlines: 25% reduction by July 2028, 50% by July 2031, and all remaining wells by July 2035.

REQUIREMENT

Simplified plugging requirements and removed the 20-year production threshold for idle well classification.

EFFECTIVE_DATE

Set a specific effective date of November 1, 2025, replacing the emergency declaration language.

ENFORCEMENT

Maintained the requirement for operators to demonstrate good cause for exceptions, but simplified the language around exemptions.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 5 edits · May 22, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and approved by the Governor, changing the title to clarify its purpose and adding new requirements for operators of idle gas wells. The most significant change is the introduction of a phased schedule requiring operators to reduce idle gas wells by 25% by 2028, 50% by 2031, and eliminate all remaining idle wells by 2035. New definitions were added to clarify what constitutes an 'idle gas well' versus other well statuses.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly clarifies the Corporation Commission's jurisdiction over abandoned wells and adds specific requirements for operators of idle gas wells that were not previously addressed in the engrossed version.

REQUIREMENT

New phased schedule requiring operators to reduce idle gas wells by 25% by July 1, 2028, 50% by July 1, 2031, and eliminate all remaining idle wells by July 1, 2035

Exception process allowing operators to request exemptions from idle well requirements by demonstrating good cause for future use

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'idle gas well', 'nonproducing well', 'shut-in', and 'temporarily abandoned' to clarify applicability

TIMELINE

Bill status changed from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' indicating final approval by the Governor

SCOPE

Title updated to clarify jurisdiction of Corporation Commission and add emergency declaration

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 5 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to clarify that the Corporation Commission can grant exceptions for good cause when requiring well plugging, provide specific examples of what constitutes good cause, and establish a phased timeline for reducing shut-in gas wells. The changes make the plugging requirements more flexible while maintaining the goal of reducing abandoned wells.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on oil and gas well plugging, but the applicability is modified to allow for exceptions based on good cause and to include specific reduction targets for shut-in gas wells.

REQUIREMENT

Added authority for the Corporation Commission to grant exceptions for good cause when ordering well plugging

Provided specific examples of good cause including future use for production, injection, carbon storage, and geothermal energy generation

TIMELINE

Established a phased timeline requiring operators to reduce shut-in gas wells by 25% by July 1, 2028, 50% by July 1, 2031, and eliminate all remaining shut-in gas wells by July 1, 2035

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'shut-in gas well' to clarify it means a well capable of producing gas by opening valves or activating existing equipment

Removed previous definitions for 'idle gas well', 'nonproducing well', and 'temporarily abandoned' which were replaced by the more specific 'shut-in gas well' definition

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 6 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a House amendment that expands the plugging requirements for idle gas wells, adds new definitions for well status, and modifies the timeline and enforcement mechanisms. The original version focused on shut-in gas wells with a 5-year exemption, while the amended version introduces a 10-year timeline for idle gas wells with good cause exceptions and establishes specific reduction targets for shut-in wells. This changes the policy from a shorter exemption period to a longer timeline with more flexibility for operators while maintaining environmental protection goals.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from only addressing shut-in gas wells to also explicitly covering idle gas wells (nonproducing wells with no commercial production for 10 years), and added specific reduction targets for operators with multiple shut-in wells.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'idle gas well', 'nonproducing well', 'shut-in', and 'temporarily abandoned' to clarify what types of wells are subject to plugging requirements.

TIMELINE

Changed the maximum exemption period for shut-in gas wells from 5 years to 7 years, and added a 10-year timeline for idle gas wells to be plugged or produced.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific reduction targets requiring operators to reduce shut-in gas wells by 25% by 2028, 50% by 2031, and 100% by 2035.

ELIGIBILITY

Added 'good cause' exceptions that allow operators to delay plugging if they can demonstrate future use for production, injection, carbon storage, or geothermal energy generation.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirement for the Corporation Commission to establish enforcement measures and promulgate rules to effectuate the provisions.

SCOPE

Expanded applicability to include idle gas wells in addition to shut-in gas wells, broadening the range of wells subject to plugging requirements.

Corporation Commission; clarifying jurisdiction of Corporation Commission; directing operators of idle gas wells to plug or produce from certain wells by certain time. Emergency.

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