California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 2 - Department of Conservation
Chapter 4 - Development, Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources
Subchapter 1 - Onshore Well Regulations
Article 2.1 - Well Spacing Patterns-New Pools
Section 1721.3.1 - Action on Petition for Well Spacing

(a) Within 30 days of receipt of a petition for well spacing deemed complete by the Division, the Supervisor shall issue a notice setting a time and place for a hearing on the petition. The notice of hearing on the petition shall provide that the hearing shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days from the date of the notice and at a place within the oil and gas district in which the new pool is located. The hearing may be continued for a period not to exceed 60 days with the consent of all those affected persons having informed the Division of their intent to participate in the hearing. The notice of hearing shall be given in the manner prescribed in Section 1721.2. The hearing shall not be limited to consideration of the well-spacing plan proposed in the petition but shall encompass consideration of any appropriate well-spacing plan for the pool.

(b) Within 45 days following the hearing, the Supervisor shall issue an order in the form of a written decision which either shall refuse to adopt a well-spacing plan or shall adopt a well-spacing plan for the pool based on scientific principles and good oilfield practices. The adopted plan shall describe the pool to which it applies and set forth the surface and subsurface well-spacing pattern for all wells to be drilled or redrilled into the pool.

(c) The Supervisor shall mail or deliver the written decision to all operators in the pool and all other previously identified affected persons.