Pennsylvania Act 1891-114 — OIL AND GAS WELLS, MUST BE PLUGGED IF ABANDONED

Act text

OIL AND GAS WELLS, MUST BE PLUGGED IF ABANDONED
                  Act of May 26, 1891, P.L. 122, No. 114              Cl. 58
                                  AN ACT

     To prevent the pollution of springs, water wells and streams by
        water escaping from abandoned oil wells and gas wells.

        Sec. 1.  Abandoned oil or gas wells to be plugged
        Upon the abandonment or ceasing to operate or use any well
     which shall have been drilled for oil or gas, it shall be the
     duty of the person or persons interested in such well to plug
     the same so as to completely shut off and prevent the escape of
     all water therefrom which may be impregnated with salt or other
     substances which will render such water unfit for use for
     domestic, steam making or manufacturing purposes, and in such
     manner as to prevent water from any such well injuring or
     polluting any spring, water well or stream which is or may be
     used for the purposes aforesaid. (1891, May 26, P.L. 122, Sec.
     1.)
        Section 2.  Penalty for violation of act
        Any person violating the provisions of this act shall be
     deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be sentenced, upon
     conviction thereof, to pay a fine of not more than one thousand
     dollars, or to undergo an imprisonment for a period not
     exceeding six months, or both, or either, at the discretion of
     the court.  (1891, May 26, P.L. 122, Sec. 3.)
        Section 3.  Persons injured may plug wells and recover
     expenses
        Whenever any person may be injured by neglect or refusal to
     comply with the first section of this act, it shall be lawful
     for such person, after notice to the owner or lessee of the
     premises upon which such well is located, to enter upon and fill
     up and plug such well in the manner directed by the first
     section hereof, and thereupon to recover the expense thereof
     from the person or persons whose duty it was to plug and fill up
     said well, in like manner as debts of such amount are
     recoverable. (1891, May 26, P.L. 122, Sec. 3.)