Gas and Oil

Gas and Oil's responsibilities include regulating the effects of gas and oil operations both on and below the surface, issuing permits, client assistance programs, inspection of well sites and gathering pipelines, reclamation of abandoned well sites, protection of correlative rights, and promotion of resource conservation practices. Learn more about the history of Gas and Oil in Virginia »

Permitting

Gas and Oil issues mining permits for all ground-disturbing geophysical exploration, exploration wells, development wells and gathering pipelines in the Commonwealth.  Learn more about how to apply for a permit »

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Inspection and Enforcement

Gas and Oil make routine inspections of well sites, gathering pipelines, facilities and other permitted sites and activities. Learn more »

Energy Security

In the event of an emergency or disaster that disrupts gasoline, home heating oil, or other petroleum fuel supply resulting in a threat to public health and safety, Virginia Energy has a role in protecting and providing for the citizens of the Commonwealth. The agency collaborates with energy providers to help direct critical supplies to priority locations and restores supply and distribution systems as soon as possible. Virginia Energy also cooperates with the federal government to recommend, encourage, and under extreme conditions, mandate appropriate conservation measures until market forces can reestablish a working balance between supply and demand. The Energy Assurance Plan focuses on guidance on how to prepare for, monitor, and mitigate energy deficiencies and disruptions for energy-related events that primarily include electricity, natural gas, and petroleum.

Gas and Oil Board

Production of gas and oil resources is governed by the Virginia Gas and Oil Board (VGOB). The purpose of VGOB is to foster, encourage, and promote the safe and efficient exploration for and development, production, and utilization of gas and oil resources.

VGOB hears appeals from persons who believe they have been aggrieved by a decision/order under the Virginia Gas and Oil Act related to the promulgation and enforcement of rules, regulations, and orders necessary to ensure the safe and efficient development and production of gas and oil resources located in Virginia. It has specific authority to issue rules, regulations, or orders to prevent waste of oil and gas; to protect correlative rights; to enter spacing and pooling orders; to establish drilling units; to facilitate maximum recovery of coal; to classify pools and wells as gas, oil, or coalbed methane gas.

Meetings are held once each month. If no petition for action has been filed prior to the scheduled meeting, the meeting may be canceled. FOIA and media requests pertaining to the Gas and Oil Board should go to Tarah Kesterson, tarah.kesterson@energy.virginia.gov or (276)-356-3405.

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Escrow Account

The Virginia Gas and Oil Act gave the Virginia Gas and Oil Board (VGOB) the authority to establish an escrow account into which proceeds from gas production are to be paid for properties where the gas ownership is unknown or disputed.

The escrow account contains subaccounts for each drilling unit, These subaccounts are listed in the monthly Escrow Agent Summary by the unit name and by the docket number.

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Award Programs

Gas and Oil in partnership with the Virginia Oil and Gas Association (VOGA) recognize outstanding achievements by members of the gas and oil industry in Virginia. The gas and oil industry operates safely, and in an environmentally conscientious manner and performs activities in a very professional manner. The awards are to recognize entities within the industry for their efforts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more about our award program »

Orphaned Gas Wells

An Orphaned Well is any well abandoned prior to July 1, 1950, or for which no records exist concerning its drilling, plugging or abandonment." Learn more about historic mining in Virginia here »

The Act establishes The Orphaned Well Fund for the purpose of plugging and restoration of orphaned wells. Money for the fund comes from permit surcharges, which must accompany each application for a new permit. Gas and Oil administers the fund and, through a competitive bid process, selects contractors to plug wells and reclaim sites when sufficient funds are available. Orphan well sites are prioritized according to their condition and potential threat to public safety and the environment, and those that represent the greatest risk are given the highest priority for plugging and site restoration. Report an Orphaned Well »

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