Oregon Law
Law as of Jan 1, 2026
Chapter contents
522.005Definitions 522.010[1971 c.776 §2; 1973 c.388 §1; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.015Policy 522.019Injection of geothermal fluids; rules; water quality permit 522.020[1971 c.776 §32; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.025Application 522.035Ownership rights 522.045Decommissioned well; jurisdiction 522.050[1971 c.776 §1; 1975 c.552 §1; renumbered 522.015] 522.055Permit; application; fees 522.060[1971 c.776 §34; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.065Circulation of application to state agencies; suggested conditions to permit; time limit for permit action 522.070[1971 c.776 §7; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.075Bond or security; conditions; cancellation 522.080Operator liability 522.085Report certifying completion of decommissioning plan 522.110[1971 c.776 §11; 1973 c.388 §2; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.115Permit; application; fees 522.120[1971 c.776 §§12,13; 1973 c.388 §3; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.125Circulation of application to state agencies; suggested conditions to permit 522.130[1971 c.776 §14; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.135Permit; time limit for action; grounds for issuance; conditions; fees 522.140[1971 c.776 §6; 1973 c.388 §4; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.145Bond or security; conditions; cancellation 522.150[1971 c.776 §8; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.155Liability for failure to protect ground water and surface water; rules 522.160[1971 c.776 §18; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.165Request for permit modification; fee 522.170[1971 c.776 §5; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.175Plugging and decommissioning; rules 522.180[1971 c.776 §19; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.185[1975 c.552 §13; repealed by 1981 c.694 §12] 522.190[1971 c.776 §20; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.195Monthly production statement; rules 522.200[1971 c.776 §28; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.205Notice by prospective operator of transfer or purchase of well; application; fee; notice by buyer of land of transfer or purchase; rules 522.210[1971 c.776 §31; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.215Suspension of drilling or operation; application; terms; extension; presumption of abandonment; unlawful abandonment; notice; proceedings against operator 522.220[1971 c.776 §21; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.225Notice of intent to plug and decommission 522.230[1971 c.776 §23; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.235[1975 c.552 §18; repealed by 2009 c.794 §27] 522.240[1971 c.776 §9; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.245Department approval of plugging and decommissioning; report by operator; effect of failure to comply; proceedings against operator 522.250[1971 c.776 §10; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.255Resolution of conflicts between geothermal and water uses 522.260[1971 c.776 §30; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.275Administration by State Geologist 522.305Rules 522.310[1971 c.776 §24; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.315Final order of department; delivery to operator 522.320[1971 c.776 §§25,26; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.325Compliance with final order; appeal 522.330[1971 c.776 §27; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.355Records of well; contents; drill cutting and core samples 522.365Filing record with department; exemption from disclosure 522.405Unitization; development of unit agreement; rules 522.410[1971 c.776 §3; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.415Unit operation plan 522.420[1971 c.776 §35; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.425Provisions in rule or order requiring unit operation 522.430[1971 c.776 §36; repealed by 1973 c.388 §8] 522.435Rule, order to supersede previous board action 522.440[1971 c.776 §38; repealed by 1973 c.388 §8] 522.445Condition to effectiveness of unitization plan and unit agreement 522.450[1971 c.776 §37; repealed by 1973 c.388 §8] 522.455Rehearing on rule or order; judicial review 522.460[1971 c.776 §4; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.465Appointment of unit operator 522.470[1971 c.776 §22; 1973 c.388 §5; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.475Board review of disputes over unit operation; appeal 522.480[1971 c.776 §33; 1973 c.388 §6; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.485Amendment of unitization plan 522.495Presumptions regarding conduct of operation 522.505Unauthorized operation in unit area prohibited; exemption 522.510[1971 c.776 §15; 1973 c.794 §24; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.515When agreement or plan held not to violate state securities or trade law 522.520[1971 c.776 §17; 1973 c.794 §25; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.525Land subject to board authority; federal lands 522.530[1971 c.776 §16; repealed by 1973 c.794 §34] 522.535Fees; rules 522.540[1971 c.776 §29; repealed by 1973 c.794 §34] 522.545Rulemaking authority 522.810Suits to enjoin violations 522.815Rules by board; scope; adoption; notice 522.910Aiding in violations prohibited 522.915False entries, omissions, destruction or removal of records or reports 522.920[1971 c.776 §39; repealed by 1975 c.552 §55] 522.990Penalties

Chapter 522 — Geothermal Resources

ORS 522.025 Application

(1)

The provisions of this chapter relating to the location and drilling of any well for the production of geothermal resources do not apply to any wells producing geothermal resources on July 1, 1975, or wells, other than prospect wells, where:

(a)

The geothermal fluids produced are of less than 250 degrees Fahrenheit bottom hole temperature; or

(b)

Such fluids have been appropriated pursuant to ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992.

(2)

The provisions of this chapter relating to regulation of production of geothermal resources from a geothermal reservoir apply only to wells with a bottom hole temperature of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

(3)

If the bottom hole temperature of a well that was initially at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit falls below 250 degrees Fahrenheit, the State Geologist and the Water Resources Director, after consulting with the well owner, shall determine the agency with regulatory responsibility for that specific well. This determination shall be documented in writing and shall supersede a determination made under subsection (1) or (2) of this section. This chapter does not limit the authority of the Water Resources Department to regulate the appropriation of water pursuant to ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992.

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Version history

2026-01-01

2025 Oregon Revised Statutes — official online source