Unitization, Communitization, Spacing, and Drainage
Unitization (Exploratory and Secondary): Unitization provides for the exploration and development of an entire geologic structure or area by a single operator so that drilling and production may proceed in the most efficient and economic manner.
Communitization (Pooling): Provides guidelines for submitting communitization agreements. Information on communitization in Montana and the Dakotas.
Gas Storage Agreements: Provides guidelines for submitting gas storage agreements.
Unleased Federal Lands Within a Spacing Unit: Frequently asked questions.
Drainage of Federal and Indian Resources: Provides guidelines for the protection and loss of oil and gas resources resulting from drainage.
Spacing Orders on Indian Lands: Oil and Gas Spacing Orders approved by the Bureau of Land Management on Indian lands.
Spacing Orders on Private (Fee), State, and Federal Wells: For spacing orders issued by the state oil and gas regulatory agencies on private (fee), state, and federal wells in the Montana/Dakotas.
- Montana - Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation
- North Dakota - North Dakota Industrial Commission
- South Dakota - South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment
The BLM has regulations that govern the protection of federal and Indian lands from drainage. They can be found at 43 CFR 3160.