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§ 3180.0–1 - Purpose.

The regulations in this part prescribe the procedures to be followed and the requirements to be met by the owners of any right, title or interest in Federal oil and gas leases (see § 3160.0–5 of this title) and their representatives who wish to unite with each other, or jointly or separately with others, in collectively adopting and operating under a unit plan for the development of any oil or gas pool, field or like area, or any part thereof. All unit agreements on Federal leases are subject to the regulations contained in part 3160 of this title, Onshore Oil and Gas Operations. All unit operations on non-Federal lands included within Federal unit plans are subject to the reporting requirements of part 3160 of this title.

[48 FR 36587, Aug. 12, 1983]

§ 3180.0–2 - Policy.

Subject to the supervisory authority of the Secretary of the Interior, the administration of the regulations in this part shall be under the jurisdiction of the authorized officer. In the exercise of his/her discretion, the authorized officer shall be subject to the direction and supervisory authority of the Director, Bureau of Land Management, who may exercise the jurisdiction of the authorized officer.

[48 FR 36587, Aug. 12, 1983]

§ 3180.0–3 - Authority.

The Mineral Leasing Act, as amended and supplemented (30 U.S.C. 181, 189, 226(e) and 226(j)), and Order Number 3087, dated December 3, 1982, as amended on February 7, 1983 (48 FR 8983), under which the Secretary consolidated and transferred the onshore minerals management functions of the Department, except mineral revenue functions and the responsibility for leasing of restricted Indian lands, to the Bureau of Land Management.

[48 FR 36587, Aug. 12, 1983]

§ 3180.0–5 - Definitions.

The following terms, as used in this part or in any unit agreement approved under the regulations in this part, shall have the meanings here indicated unless otherwise defined in such unit agreement:

Federal lease. A lease issued under the Act of February 25, 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181, et seq.); the Act of May 21, 1930 (30 U.S.C. 351–359); the Act of August 7, 1947 (30 U.S.C. 351, et seq.); or the Act of November 16, 1981 (Pub. L. 97–98, 95 Stat. 1070).

Participating area. That part of a unit area which is considered reasonably proven to be productive of unitized substances in paying quantities or which is necessary for unit operations and to which production is allocated in the manner prescribed in the unit agreement.

Unit area. The area described in an agreement as constituting the land logically subject to exploration and/or development under such agreement.

Unitized land. Those lands and formations within a unit area which are committed to an approved agreement or plan.

Unitized substances. Deposits of oil and gas contained in the unitized land which are recoverable in paying quantities by operation under and pursuant to an agreement.

Working interest. An interest held in unitized substances or in lands containing the same by virtue of a lease, operating agreement, fee title, or otherwise, under which, except as otherwise provided in the agreement, the owner of such interest is vested with the right to explore for, develop, and produce such substances. The rights delegated to the unit operator by the unit agreement are not regarded as a working interest.

[48 FR 26766, June 10, 1983. Redesignated and amended at 48 FR 36587, Aug. 12, 1983; 51 FR 34603, Sept. 30, 1986]