RAPID/Roadmap/5-LA-a
Louisiana Drilling Permit (5-LA-a)
Drilling Permit Process
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5-LA-a.1 – Obtain State Geothermal Lease
If the developer plans to drill a geothermal well on state lands or water bottoms, the developer must first obtain a geothermal land lease. La. Stat. Ann. § 30-802.
State Geothermal Lease:
3-LA-a
5-LA-a.2 – Submit Well Plat
As part of the application process, the developer must commission a Well Plat prepared by a Louisiana Land Surveyor. The Well Plat must be prepared with seal, signature, scale, and dated less than a year old. The location of the well must be referenced to a government section line or an established and accepted monument. The Plat must include the well location’s proximity to the lease line.
If the developer plans to drill a well 10,000 feet or more, the plat must bear one of the following statements:
- "No commercial or residential structures not owned by the applicant, his lessor, or other predecessor in interest are located within a 500-foot radius of the well site."
- "The only structure(s) not owned by the applicant, his lessor, or other predecessor in interest within a 500-foot radius of this well site are as shown." If the plat bears this statement, each structure shown on the plat must be identified by the name of the owner(s). Written consent to drill the well within 500 feet of any structure not owned by the applicant, his lessor or other predecessor in interest must be submitted from the owner(s) of said structure before a permit to drill will be issued. And finally, in the event written consent is not obtainable from the owner(s) of said structure, then the applicant may request a public hearing for the purpose of presenting geological, engineering, or other evidence to justify the issuance of a permit to drill. Louisiana – Permit to Drill Application.
5-LA-a.3-Drill Permit Application
A developer must complete and sign the Louisiana – Permit to Drill Application. The application form must include:
- The date the form is completed;
- The parish and parish code number for the well’s surface location;
- The field name and field code number;
- The company name, address, and operator code number. Operator codes are assigned and maintained through the OR1 application with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The developer must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State;
- A unique well name and number. Well names are based on the mineral owner at the take point for straight and directional wells. For horizontal wells, the well name is based on the mineral owner equivalent to the location of the surface of the well. If this is an additional well to an existing lease, the well numbering must be consecutive;
- The well's location description (as depicted on the Well Plat);
- Indication that the developer is drilling for “other” mineral resources;
- The proposed total depth of the well and true vertical depth, if applicable;
- The typed name and phone number of a contact person should additional information be necessary; and
- The signature of a company representative.
Louisiana – Permit to Drill Application.
5-LA-a.4 to 5-LA-a.5- Review Application for Completeness
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources shall review the application for technical and administrative completeness.
5-LA-a.6 to 5-LA-a.7- Review Applicaiton for Approval
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources shall review the Application for approval.
5-LA-a.8-Drill Permit Application
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources may issue a Drill Permit.
5-LA-a.9- File District Office Duplicate
All Louisiana – Permit to Drill Application must be filed in duplicate with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Office of Conservation District Office the well is located in. Once the District is finished with its review, the Louisiana – Permit to Drill Application is submitted to LDENR Conservation State Office for final approval.
5-LA-a.10- Pay Application Fee
A developer must pay an application fee to obtain a permit to drill. The applicable is determined by the depth of the well. La. Admin. Code tit. 43, Pt XIX, § 701 provides the current fee schedule.
5-LA-a.11-Secure Operator Bonding
Driller operators are subject to state financial security requirements. Operators must secure wells in an acceptable form, as provided in Statewide Order No. 29-B §104. La. Admin. Code tit. 43, Pt XIX, § 104
5-LA-a.12- Submit Pre-Entry Notice Affidavit
A developer must submit a Louisiana – Pre-Entry Notice Affidavit (Affidavit) with its Louisiana – Permit to Drill Application. The Affidavit verifies that the surface owner has been notified of the intent to drill at least thirty days prior to any work having begun or that a contractual relationship exists between the operator and the surface owner.
5-LA-a.13-Appeal (Optional)
If the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources denies the permit, a developer may appeal.
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