1. (a) This section does not apply to a noncommercial gas well drilled on real estate owned by a resident of Indiana if:

   1. (1) the deputy director has waived the bond described in IC 14-37-6 ;
   2. (2) the owner submits written proof of financial responsibility; and

   3. (3) the owner submits on a division form an agreement to maintain and abandon the well in accordance with IC 14-37 .

      The deputy director may require the agreement described in subdivision (3) to be recorded.

2. (b) An oil and gas well owner or operator must pay an annual fee that is based on the number of wells for oil and gas purposes for which the person has permits as of November 1 of each year. The total fees required are as follows:

   1. (1) For one (1) permit, one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
   2. (2) For two (2) through five (5) permits, three hundred dollars ($300).
   3. (3) For six (6) through twenty-five (25) permits, seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).
   4. (4) For twenty-six (26) through one hundred (100) permits, one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).
   5. (5) For more than one hundred (100) permits, one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) plus fifteen dollars ($15) for each permit over one hundred (100).

3. (c) The annual fee required by subsection (b):

   1. (1) applies to each well for oil and gas purposes in existence on November 1 of each year; and
   2. (2) must be paid to the department not later than February 1 of the following year.

4. (d) The department shall deposit the fees collected under this section into the oil and gas environmental fund established by IC 14-37-10-2 .

   [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-8-6-1.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.30. Amended by P.L.48-2002, SEC.2.