Well Ownership Transfers
The Well Ownership Program provides a formal process for transferring responsibility and regulatory ownership of oil and gas wells from one operator to another. Before a successor operator may begin operating a well or wells previously operated by a different operator, the successor must submit the required Well Transfer (OG-13) application signed by both the current and successor operators, pay the applicable $50.00 transfer fee for each well, and post the required bond. Upon receipt of the Well Transfer Form and appropriate fee(s), our office will review the items shown on the Buying Party Checklist and the Selling Party Checklist.
The current operator is responsible for ensuring that the successor operator has satisfied all requirements of KRS 353.590(23) before transferring operations. Once the successor operator has met these requirements, responsibility for the wells may be formally transferred, relieving the previous operator of regulatory responsibility and establishing the successor operator as the responsible party.
The program ensures that well ownership and operational responsibility are properly documented, financial assurance is maintained, and wells remain under the oversight of a qualified and financially responsible operator.