Ohio oil and gas laws can be found in Chapter 1509, Title 15 of Ohio Revised Code.
Powers and Jurisdiction of the Division
Pursuant to ORC Ann. 1509.02, the department of natural resources creates a division of mineral resources management. It is administered by the chief of the division of mineral resources management. The division has sole and exclusive authority to regulate the permitting, location, and spacing of oil and gas wells and production operations within the state.
The regulation of oil and gas activities is a matter of general statewide interest that requires uniform statewide regulation, and the statute constitutes a comprehensive plan with respect to all aspects of the locating, drilling, and operating of oil and gas wells within the state, including site restoration and disposal of wastes from those wells.
Appeal to Commission
Pursuant to ORC Ann. 1509.35, an oil and gas commission is established consisting of five members appointed by the governor.
Pursuant to ORC Ann. 1509.36, any person adversely affected by an order by the chief of the division of mineral resources management may appeal to the oil and gas commission to vacate the order or have it modified. If upon completion of the hearing, the commission finds that the order appealed from was lawful and reasonable, it will make a written order affirming the order appealed from; if the commission finds that the order was unreasonable or unlawful, it will make a written order vacating the order appealed from and making the order that it finds the chief should have made. Every order made by the commission will contain a written finding by the commission of the facts upon which the order is based. Generally, the order of the commission is final.
Appeal to Court
Pursuant to ORC Ann. 1509.37, any party adversely affected by an order of the oil and gas commission may appeal to the authorized court. If the court finds that the order of the commission appealed from was lawful and reasonable, it will affirm the order. If the court finds that the order was unreasonable or unlawful, it will vacate the order and enter the order that it finds appropriate. The judgment of the court is final unless reversed, vacated, or modified on appeal.
Penalties
Whoever violates sections 1509.01 to 1509.31 of the Revised Code or any rules adopted or orders or terms or conditions of a permit issued pursuant to the statute for which no specific penalty is provided will be fined between one hundred and one thousand dollars for a first offense. And for each subsequent offense, such person will be fined between two hundred and two thousand dollars.
Whoever violates section 1509.221 [1509.22.1] of the Revised Code or any rules adopted or orders or terms or conditions of a permit issued will be fined up to five thousand dollars for each day of violation.
Whoever knowingly violates certain divisions of section 1509.072 [1509.07.2], section 1509.22, 1509.222 [1509.22.2], or section 1509.223 [1509.22.3] of the Revised Code or any rules adopted or orders issued will be fined ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for six months, or both for a first offense. For each subsequent offense, such person will be fined twenty thousand dollars or imprisoned for two years, or both. Whoever negligently violates such divisions, sections, rules, orders, or terms or conditions of a registration certificate will be fined up to five thousand dollars.
Whoever violates division (C) of section 1509.223 [1509.22.3] of the Revised Code will be fined up to five hundred dollars for a first offense and up to one thousand dollars for a subsequent offense.
