Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0400 - Environment and Conservation
Subtitle 0400-52 - Drilling, Re-Entering, Plugging and Abandoning Exploratory and Exploitation Oil and Gas Wells (Transferred from 1040-02)
Chapter 0400-52-09 - Well Abandonment (Transferred from 1040-02-09)
Section 0400-52-09-.04 - TIME LIMIT FOR PLUGGING WELLS

Except as provided in Rule 0400-52-09-.06, all wells drilled for oil and gas and found to be dry holes shall be plugged within 1 year from cessation of drilling. All wells that are non-producing or abandoned shall be plugged within 1 year from the date they cease producing 12 barrels of oil per year or 25 mcf of gas per month or are abandoned. Upon written request to the Supervisor showing good cause, an extension of up to 90 days additional may be granted. No operator or owner shall permit any well drilled for oil, gas, salt water disposal or any other purpose in connection with the production of oil and gas, to remain unplugged after such well is no longer used for the purpose for which it was drilled or converted. Nothing herein shall prevent utilizing a well for the purpose of introducing air, gas, fresh water or other liquid pressure into or upon the producing strata for the purpose of recovering oil and gas. All wells which are neither producing nor plugged shall comply with shut-in standards of oil and gas wells and shall be cased and capped in such a manner so as to protect all potential oil and/or gas zones, and fresh water in accordance with the requirements of Rule 0400-52-09-.06. .

Authority: T.C.A §§ 60-1-201 et seq., and 4-5-201 et seq.