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The State Oil & Gas Regulatory Exchange (SOGRE) released today a Peer Assessment of Virginia's Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, Division of Oil and Gas. SOGRE is an outreach program created under the States First Initiative. The mission of the SOGRE is to assist states to continually improve state oil and gas regulatory programs by providing member states consultation and program assessment services targeted to their specific needs.
Virginia’s Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME): Division of Gas and Oil (Division) regulates the exploration and production of natural gas and oil in the Commonwealth through the Virginia Gas and Oil Act (the Act) and its attendant regulations.
As a follow up to a 2017 STRONGER Review, Deputy Director, Bradley Lambert approached the State Oil & Gas Regulatory Exchange (SOGRE) in writing requesting additional analysis. Mr. Lambert said, “DMME appreciated STRONGER’s largely positive feedback and has incorporated many of its recommendations. However, DMME believes there are a couple of aspects of its regulatory program that could benefit from a more in depth, granular review. Therefore, DMME respectfully requests SOGRE examine the following areas:
The existing laws and regulations that govern exploration and production of oil and gas resources in the eastern half of the Commonwealth (Commonly referred to as the Tidewater region)
Whether DMME should adopt regulations governing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and whether those regulations should apply statewide or only in specific regions.”