{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/45.2-301.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/45.2-301.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/45.2-301.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/45.2-301.html"}],"law_id":364287,"edition_id":2,"section_id":364287,"structure_id":51997,"section_number":"45.2-301","catch_line":"Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","history":"1982, c. 570, \u00a7 45.1-381; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"INTERSTATE COMPACT TO CONSERVE OIL AND GAS\n\n\t\tArticle I.\n\n\t\tThis agreement may become effective within any compacting state at any time as prescribed by that state and shall become effective within those states ratifying it whenever any three of the states of Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, and New Mexico have ratified and Congress has given its consent. Any oil-producing state may become a party hereto as hereinafter provided.\n\n\t\tArticle II.\n\n\t\tThe purpose of this compact is to conserve oil and gas by the prevention of physical waste thereof from any cause.\n\n\t\tArticle III.\n\n\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that within a reasonable time it will enact laws, or if the laws have been enacted to continue the same in force, to accomplish within reasonable limits the prevention of:\n\n1\n\nThe operation of any oil well with an inefficient gas-oil ratio.\n\n2\n\nThe drowning with water of any stratum capable of producing oil or gas, or both oil and gas, in paying quantities.\n\n3\n\nThe avoidable escape into the open air or the wasteful burning of gas from a natural gas well.\n\n4\n\nThe creation of unnecessary fire hazards.\n\n5\n\nThe drilling, equipping, locating, spacing, or operating of a well or wells so as to bring about physical waste of oil or gas or loss in the ultimate recovery thereof.\n\n6\n\nThe inefficient, excessive, or improper use of the reservoir energy in producing any well.\n\t\t\tThe enumeration of the foregoing subjects shall not limit the scope of the authority of any state.\n\n\t\t\tArticle IV.\n\n\t\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that it will, within a reasonable time, enact statutes, or if such statutes have been enacted that it will continue the same in force, providing in effect that oil produced in violation of its valid oil and\/or gas conservation statutes or any valid rule, order, or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be denied access to commerce and providing for stringent penalties for the waste of either oil or gas.\n\n\t\t\tArticle V.\n\n\t\t\tIt is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the states joining herein to limit the production of oil or gas for the purpose of stabilizing or fixing the price thereof, or to create or perpetuate monopoly, or to promote regimentation, but is limited to the purpose of conserving oil and gas and preventing the avoidable waste thereof within reasonable limitations.\n\n\t\t\tArticle VI.\n\n\t\t\tEach state joining herein shall appoint one representative to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the Interstate Oil Compact Commission (the Commission), the duty of which shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances, and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about conservation and the prevention of physical waste of oil and gas, and at such intervals as the Commission deems beneficial, it shall report its findings and recommendations to the several states for adoption or rejection.\n\n\t\t\tThe Commission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their several jurisdictions to promote the maximum ultimate recovery from the petroleum reserves of the states and to recommend measures for the maximum ultimate recovery of oil and gas. The Commission shall adopt suitable rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.\n\n\t\t\tNo action shall be taken by the Commission except (i) by the affirmative vote of the majority of the whole number of the compacting states represented at any meeting and (ii) by a concurring vote of a majority in interest of the compacting states at the meeting, such interest to be determined as follows: the vote of each state shall be in the decimal proportion fixed by the ratio of its daily average production during the preceding calendar half-year to the daily average production of the compacting states during that period.\n\n\t\t\tArticle VII.\n\n\t\t\tNo state by joining herein shall become financially obligated to any other state, nor shall the breach of the terms hereof by any state subject that state to financial responsibility to the other states joining herein.\n\n\t\t\tArticle VIII.\n\n\t\t\tThis compact shall continue in effect until Congress withdraws its consent. Any state joining herein may, upon 60 days’ notice, withdraw herefrom.\n\n\t\t\tThe representatives of the signatory states have signed this agreement in a single original that shall be deposited in the archives of the Department of State of the United States, and a duly certified copy shall be forwarded to the Governor of each of the signatory states.\n\n\t\t\tThis compact shall become effective when ratified and approved as provided in Article I. Any oil-producing state may become a party thereto by affixing its signature to a counterpart to be similarly deposited, certified, and ratified.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1357126,"text":"INTERSTATE COMPACT TO CONSERVE OIL AND GAS\t\tArticle I.\t\tThis agreement may become effective within any compacting state at any time as prescribed by that state and shall become effective within those states ratifying it whenever any three of the states of Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, and New Mexico have ratified and Congress has given its consent. Any oil-producing state may become a party hereto as hereinafter provided.\t\tArticle II.\t\tThe purpose of this compact is to conserve oil and gas by the prevention of physical waste thereof from any cause.\t\tArticle III.\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that within a reasonable time it will enact laws, or if the laws have been enacted to continue the same in force, to accomplish within reasonable limits the prevention of:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1357127,"text":"The operation of any oil well with an inefficient gas-oil ratio.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1357128,"text":"The drowning with water of any stratum capable of producing oil or gas, or both oil and gas, in paying quantities.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1357129,"text":"The avoidable escape into the open air or the wasteful burning of gas from a natural gas well.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1357130,"text":"The creation of unnecessary fire hazards.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1357131,"text":"The drilling, equipping, locating, spacing, or operating of a well or wells so as to bring about physical waste of oil or gas or loss in the ultimate recovery thereof.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1357132,"text":"The inefficient, excessive, or improper use of the reservoir energy in producing any well.\n\t\t\tThe enumeration of the foregoing subjects shall not limit the scope of the authority of any state.\t\t\tArticle IV.\t\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that it will, within a reasonable time, enact statutes, or if such statutes have been enacted that it will continue the same in force, providing in effect that oil produced in violation of its valid oil and\/or gas conservation statutes or any valid rule, order, or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be denied access to commerce and providing for stringent penalties for the waste of either oil or gas.\t\t\tArticle V.\t\t\tIt is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the states joining herein to limit the production of oil or gas for the purpose of stabilizing or fixing the price thereof, or to create or perpetuate monopoly, or to promote regimentation, but is limited to the purpose of conserving oil and gas and preventing the avoidable waste thereof within reasonable limitations.\t\t\tArticle VI.\t\t\tEach state joining herein shall appoint one representative to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the Interstate Oil Compact Commission (the Commission), the duty of which shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances, and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about conservation and the prevention of physical waste of oil and gas, and at such intervals as the Commission deems beneficial, it shall report its findings and recommendations to the several states for adoption or rejection.\t\t\tThe Commission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their several jurisdictions to promote the maximum ultimate recovery from the petroleum reserves of the states and to recommend measures for the maximum ultimate recovery of oil and gas. The Commission shall adopt suitable rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.\t\t\tNo action shall be taken by the Commission except (i) by the affirmative vote of the majority of the whole number of the compacting states represented at any meeting and (ii) by a concurring vote of a majority in interest of the compacting states at the meeting, such interest to be determined as follows: the vote of each state shall be in the decimal proportion fixed by the ratio of its daily average production during the preceding calendar half-year to the daily average production of the compacting states during that period.\t\t\tArticle VII.\t\t\tNo state by joining herein shall become financially obligated to any other state, nor shall the breach of the terms hereof by any state subject that state to financial responsibility to the other states joining herein.\t\t\tArticle VIII.\t\t\tThis compact shall continue in effect until Congress withdraws its consent. Any state joining herein may, upon 60 days’ notice, withdraw herefrom.\t\t\tThe representatives of the signatory states have signed this agreement in a single original that shall be deposited in the archives of the Department of State of the United States, and a duly certified copy shall be forwarded to the Governor of each of the signatory states.\t\t\tThis compact shall become effective when ratified and approved as provided in Article I. Any oil-producing state may become a party thereto by affixing its signature to a counterpart to be similarly deposited, certified, and ratified.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51997,"edition_id":2,"name":"Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51928,"metadata":{"child_laws":3,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:51:53","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:33","permalink":{"id":1449621,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51997,"identifier":"3","token":"45.2\/I\/3","url":"\/45.2\/I\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51928,"edition_id":2,"name":"Administration","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":51927,"metadata":{"child_laws":23,"child_structures":6},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:51:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:32","permalink":{"id":1449543,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51928,"identifier":"I","token":"45.2\/I","url":"\/45.2\/I\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51927,"edition_id":2,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":99,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":627,"child_structures":120},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:51:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:32","permalink":{"id":1449541,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51927,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":364286,"structure_id":51997,"section_number":"45.2-300","catch_line":"Governor authorized to execute Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","url":"\/45.2-300\/","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-300","metadata":false},{"id":364287,"structure_id":51997,"section_number":"45.2-301","catch_line":"Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","url":"\/45.2-301\/","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-301","metadata":false},{"id":364288,"structure_id":51997,"section_number":"45.2-302","catch_line":"Governor to act as representative to Interstate Oil Compact Commission","url":"\/45.2-302\/","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-302","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":364286,"structure_id":51997,"section_number":"45.2-300","catch_line":"Governor authorized to execute Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","url":"\/45.2-300\/","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-300","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":364288,"structure_id":51997,"section_number":"45.2-302","catch_line":"Governor to act as representative to Interstate Oil Compact Commission","url":"\/45.2-302\/","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-302","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-301\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1982. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 570 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1982 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online.<\/p>","references":[{"id":364286,"section_number":"45.2-300","catch_line":"Governor authorized to execute Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-300\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1449627,"object_type":"law","relational_id":364287,"identifier":"45.2-301","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-301","url":"\/45.2-301\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-301\/","token":"45.2\/I\/3\/45.2-301","dublin_core":{"Title":"Interstate Compact to Conserve Oil and Gas","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-301","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

INTERSTATE COMPACT TO CONSERVE OIL AND GAS

\t\tArticle I.

\t\tThis agreement may become effective within any compacting state at any time as prescribed by that state and shall become effective within those states ratifying it whenever any three of the states of Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, and New Mexico have ratified and Congress has given its consent. Any oil-producing state may become a party<\/span> hereto as hereinafter provided.

\t\tArticle II.

\t\tThe purpose of this compact is to conserve oil and gas by the prevention of physical waste thereof from any cause.

\t\tArticle III.

\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that within a reasonable time it will enact laws<\/span>, or if the laws<\/span> have been enacted to continue the same in force, to accomplish within reasonable limits the prevention of:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The operation of any oil well with an inefficient gas-oil ratio. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The drowning with water of any stratum capable of producing oil or gas, or both oil and gas, in paying quantities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The avoidable escape into the open air or the wasteful burning of gas from a natural gas well. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The creation of unnecessary fire hazards. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The drilling, equipping, locating, spacing, or operating of a well or wells so as to bring about physical waste of oil or gas or loss in the ultimate recovery thereof. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The inefficient, excessive, or improper use of the reservoir energy in producing any well.\n\t\t\tThe enumeration of the foregoing subjects shall not limit the scope of the authority of any state.

\t\t\tArticle IV.

\t\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that it will, within a reasonable time, enact statutes<\/span>, or if such statutes<\/span> have been enacted that it will continue the same in force, providing in effect that oil produced in violation of its valid oil and\/or gas conservation statutes<\/span> or any valid rule, order<\/span>, or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be denied access to commerce and providing for stringent penalties for the waste of either oil or gas.

\t\t\tArticle V.

\t\t\tIt is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the states joining herein to limit the production of oil or gas for the purpose of stabilizing or fixing the price thereof, or to create or perpetuate monopoly, or to promote regimentation, but is limited to the purpose of conserving oil and gas and preventing the avoidable waste thereof within reasonable limitations.

\t\t\tArticle VI.

\t\t\tEach state joining herein shall appoint one representative to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the Interstate Oil Compact Commission (the Commission), the duty of which shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances, and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about conservation and the prevention of physical waste of oil and gas, and at such intervals as the Commission deems beneficial, it shall report its findings<\/span> and recommendations to the several states for adoption or rejection.

\t\t\tThe Commission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their several jurisdictions<\/span> to promote the maximum ultimate recovery from the petroleum reserves of the states and to recommend measures for the maximum ultimate recovery of oil and gas. The Commission shall adopt suitable rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.

\t\t\tNo action shall be taken by the Commission except (i) by the affirmative vote of the majority of the whole number of the compacting states represented at any meeting and (ii) by a concurring vote of a majority in interest of the compacting states at the meeting, such interest to be determined as follows: the vote of each state shall be in the decimal proportion fixed by the ratio of its daily average production during the preceding calendar half-year to the daily average production of the compacting states during that period.

\t\t\tArticle VII.

\t\t\tNo state by joining herein shall become financially obligated to any other state, nor shall the breach of the terms hereof by any state subject that state to financial responsibility to the other states joining herein.

\t\t\tArticle VIII.

\t\t\tThis compact shall continue in effect until Congress withdraws its consent. Any state joining herein may, upon 60 days’ notice, withdraw herefrom.

\t\t\tThe representatives of the signatory states have signed this agreement in a single original that shall be deposited in the archives of the Department<\/span> of State of the United States, and a duly certified copy shall be forwarded to the Governor of each of the signatory states.

\t\t\tThis compact shall become effective when ratified and approved as provided in Article I. Any oil-producing state may become a party<\/span> thereto by affixing its signature to a counterpart to be similarly deposited, certified, and ratified. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINTERSTATE COMPACT TO CONSERVE OIL AND GAS (\u00a7 45.2-301)\n\nINTERSTATE COMPACT TO CONSERVE OIL AND GAS\t\tArticle I.\t\tThis agreement may\nbecome effective within any compacting state at any time as prescribed by that\nstate and shall become effective within those states ratifying it whenever any\nthree of the states of Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, and New Mexico have\nratified and Congress has given its consent. Any oil-producing state may become\na party hereto as hereinafter provided.\t\tArticle II.\t\tThe purpose of this\ncompact is to conserve oil and gas by the prevention of physical waste thereof\nfrom any cause.\t\tArticle III.\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that within a\nreasonable time it will enact laws, or if the laws have been enacted to continue\nthe same in force, to accomplish within reasonable limits the prevention of:\n\n1. The operation of any oil well with an inefficient gas-oil ratio.\n\n2. The drowning with water of any stratum capable of producing oil or gas, or\nboth oil and gas, in paying quantities.\n\n3. The avoidable escape into the open air or the wasteful burning of gas from a\nnatural gas well.\n\n4. The creation of unnecessary fire hazards.\n\n5. The drilling, equipping, locating, spacing, or operating of a well or wells\nso as to bring about physical waste of oil or gas or loss in the ultimate\nrecovery thereof.\n\n6. The inefficient, excessive, or improper use of the reservoir energy in\nproducing any well.\n\t\t\tThe enumeration of the foregoing subjects shall not limit the scope of the\nauthority of any state.\t\t\tArticle IV.\t\t\tEach state bound hereby agrees that it\nwill, within a reasonable time, enact statutes, or if such statutes have been\nenacted that it will continue the same in force, providing in effect that oil\nproduced in violation of its valid oil and\/or gas conservation statutes or any\nvalid rule, order, or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be denied access\nto commerce and providing for stringent penalties for the waste of either oil or\ngas.\t\t\tArticle V.\t\t\tIt is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the\nstates joining herein to limit the production of oil or gas for the purpose of\nstabilizing or fixing the price thereof, or to create or perpetuate monopoly, or\nto promote regimentation, but is limited to the purpose of conserving oil and\ngas and preventing the avoidable waste thereof within reasonable\nlimitations.\t\t\tArticle VI.\t\t\tEach state joining herein shall appoint one\nrepresentative to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the\nInterstate Oil Compact Commission (the Commission), the duty of which shall be\nto make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices,\ncircumstances, and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about\nconservation and the prevention of physical waste of oil and gas, and at such\nintervals as the Commission deems beneficial, it shall report its findings and\nrecommendations to the several states for adoption or rejection.\t\t\tThe\nCommission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the\npolice powers of the several states within their several jurisdictions to\npromote the maximum ultimate recovery from the petroleum reserves of the states\nand to recommend measures for the maximum ultimate recovery of oil and gas. The\nCommission shall adopt suitable rules and regulations for the conduct of its\nbusiness.\t\t\tNo action shall be taken by the Commission except (i) by the\naffirmative vote of the majority of the whole number of the compacting states\nrepresented at any meeting and (ii) by a concurring vote of a majority in\ninterest of the compacting states at the meeting, such interest to be determined\nas follows: the vote of each state shall be in the decimal proportion fixed by\nthe ratio of its daily average production during the preceding calendar\nhalf-year to the daily average production of the compacting states during that\nperiod.\t\t\tArticle VII.\t\t\tNo state by joining herein shall become financially\nobligated to any other state, nor shall the breach of the terms hereof by any\nstate subject that state to financial responsibility to the other states joining\nherein.\t\t\tArticle VIII.\t\t\tThis compact shall continue in effect until Congress\nwithdraws its consent. Any state joining herein may, upon 60 days’ notice,\nwithdraw herefrom.\t\t\tThe representatives of the signatory states have signed\nthis agreement in a single original that shall be deposited in the archives of\nthe Department of State of the United States, and a duly certified copy shall be\nforwarded to the Governor of each of the signatory states.\t\t\tThis compact shall\nbecome effective when ratified and approved as provided in Article I. Any\noil-producing state may become a party thereto by affixing its signature to a\ncounterpart to be similarly deposited, certified, and ratified.\n\nHISTORY: 1982, c. 570, \u00a7 45.1-381; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}