Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-37-3

Affected: IC 14-37

Sec. 8. (a) Unless an emergency or an urgent condition exists under section 9 of this rule, in addition to the written notice and plan required under section 7 of this rule an owner or operator must provide notice to the oil and gas inspector assigned to the well of the date and time on which well plugging operations are scheduled to commence. The notice shall consist of at least one (1) of the following:

1. (1) Written notice delivered in person to the inspector.
2. (2) An e-mail message sent to the inspector, with a read-receipt request verifying the date and time the inspector read the message.
3. (3) Verbal communication provided in person or by telephone to the inspector.

4. (4) A voice mail message left on the telephone of the inspector and either:

   1. (A) verbal communication in person or by telephone with the assistant director of field inspections; or
   2. (B) voice mail message left on the telephone of the assistant director of field inspections.

(b) Unless a shorter time for notification is agreed between the oil and gas inspector and the owner or operator, the owner or operator must give the notification required in subsection (a) at least:

1. (1) twelve (12) hours before the time to commence plugging operations when a well is to be plugged as a dry hole immediately following conclusion of drilling or drilling operations; or
2. (2) forty-eight (48) hours before the time scheduled to commence plugging operations for a well not described in subdivision (1).

(c) An owner or operator must not commence plugging operations without an oil and gas inspector present, unless the owner or operator has:

1. (1) complied with the notice requirements of this section; and
2. (2) obtained division of reclamation approval for a plugging plan.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-33-8; filed Dec 1, 2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA; readopted filed Jan 17, 2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA; errata filed Mar 18, 2026, 9:59 a.m.: 20260325-IR-312260094ACA)