Division of Oil & Gas
Mission Statement
To encourage the responsible development of oil and natural gas resources in a manner that is protective of human health and safety, and the environment.
DIVISION AUTHORITY
The Division of Oil and Gas administers Indiana's oil and gas statutes (IC 14-37 and IC 14-38), which regulate petroleum exploration and production operations including: well spacing, exploration, permitting, drilling, completion, production, and abandonment operations; underground injection of fluids for enhanced oil recovery or for production fluid disposal; and the underground storage of natural gas or other petroleum products in underground formations.
ORGANIZATION OF THE DIVISION OF OIL AND GAS
The Division of Oil and Gas is organized into three program areas under the direction of Division Director Herschel McDivitt hmcdivitt@dnr.IN.gov.
PERMITTING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
The Permitting and Technical Services section reviews permit applications, conducts file reviews of existing Class II injection wells, provides technical assistance to industry and the public, manages the division's data processing system, reviews requests for well spacing and unit exceptions, develops division programs, and prepares technical and rule documents for consideration and promulgation. The section consists of a Manager and four Petroleum Geologists. The Technical Services Manager is Mona Nemecek mnemecek@dnr.IN.gov.
INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT
The Inspections and Enforcement section conducts site inspections, witnesses well testing, plugging and abandonment operations, responds to and investigates oil and produced water spills, initiates and monitors enforcement actions, and responds to citizen complaints regarding oil and gas related operations. Additionally, this section also prepares, implements, and tracks compliance actions including Notices of Violation, Administrative Orders, and Penalty Assessments. The section consists of an Assistant Director, a Field Inspection Manager, an Administrative Assistant and eight Oil and Gas Inspectors. The Assistant Director of Inspections and Enforcement is Jim AmRhein jamrhein@dnr.IN.gov. The Field Inspection Manager is Kevin York kyork@dnr.IN.gov.
ORPHANED AND ABANDONED SITES
The Orphaned and Abandoned Sites Program reviews abandoned well sites for inclusion in a statewide list of sites qualifying for state closure action. The program manages projects for well closure and site remediation work on improperly abandoned oil and gas production facilities. Funding for the program is provided through annual well fees paid by Indiana operators, civil penalty assessments and forfeited bonds. The section consists of an Assistant Director and an Oil and Gas Inspector. The Assistant Director is Mary Estrada mestrada@dnr.IN.gov.
