Alaska Administrative Code
Title 11 - Natural Resources
Part 6 - Lands
Chapter 84 - Other Leasable Minerals
Article 8 - Geothermal Unitization
11 AAC 84.860 - Unit plan of exploration

(a) Unless a unit plan of development is filed under 11 AAC 84.865, a unit plan of exploration must be filed for approval by the commissioner as an exhibit to the unit agreement under 11 AAC 84.820. The plan must describe the applicant's proposed exploration activities, including the proposed bottom-hole locations, and well depths, and the estimated date drilling will commence. All exploration operations must be conducted under an approved plan of exploration. The commissioner will approve a unit plan of exploration if it complies with the provisions of 11 AAC 84.815. If the proposed unit plan of exploration is disapproved, the commissioner will, in his discretion, propose modifications which, if accepted by the unit operator, would qualify the plan for approval.

(b) The unit plan of exploration must be updated and submitted to the commissioner for approval at least 60 days before the expiration date of the previously approved plan, as set out in that plan. The update must describe the extent to which requirements of the previously approved plan were achieved; if actual operations deviated from or did not comply with the previously approved plan, an explanation of the deviation or non-compliance must be included in the update. Within 10 days after receipt of plans of exploration, the commissioner will inform the unit operator as to whether a proposed unit plan of exploration is complete. After the commissioner has determined that a unit plan of exploration is complete, as submitted or modified by the unit operator following the commissioner's suggestions, the commissioner will have an additional 30 days in which to approve or disapprove the plan; if no action is taken by the commissioner, the unit plan of exploration is approved.

(c) The commissioner will approve an update of the unit plan of exploration if it complies with the provisions of 11 AAC 84.815. If the proposed update of a unit plan of exploration is disapproved, the commissioner will, in his discretion, propose modifications which, if accepted by the unit operator, would qualify the plan for approval.

(d) The unit operator shall submit an annual report to the commissioner describing the operations conducted under the unit plan of exploration during the preceding year.

(e) The unit operator may, with the approval of the commissioner, amend an approved plan of exploration.