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HB 5398

Relating to dates and deposits for Oil and Gas Well Plugging

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Anderson and 4 co-sponsors

HB 5398 adjusts West Virginia's oil and gas well-plugging timelines and financial deposit requirements to clarify operator obligations for abandoning wells safely.

Communicated to Senate
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Bill Summary · HB 5398

Legislative bill overview

HB 5398 modifies the timeline and financial requirements for oil and gas well plugging in West Virginia. The bill adjusts deadlines for when operators must plug abandoned wells and potentially alters deposit or bonding requirements to ensure wells are properly sealed and environmental contamination is prevented.

Why is this important

Improperly plugged oil and gas wells can leak methane, contaminate groundwater, and create safety hazards. Clear timelines and adequate financial assurances ensure operators actually complete plugging rather than abandoning sites, protecting public health and environment while clarifying regulatory expectations for the industry.

Potential points of contention

  • Operator burden vs. environmental protection: Extended timelines may benefit operators financially but could delay environmental remediation and leave hazardous wells unplugged longer
  • Financial assurance levels: Changes to deposit amounts could either underprotect the public (if reduced) or create compliance costs for small operators (if increased)
  • State liability: If deposits prove insufficient when operators fail to plug wells, taxpayers may bear cleanup costs for contaminated sites

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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