Arkansas Provisions That May Be Added to A Pooling Or Unit Designation: A Detailed Description In Arkansas, when it comes to oil and gas exploration and production, pooling or unitization is a significant aspect of the state's regulatory framework. Pooling or unitization refers to the process of combining multiple mineral interests from different landowners into a single drilling unit for efficient extraction purposes. It enables operators to effectively exploit a reservoir without infringing upon individual property rights, allowing for optimal resource recovery. There are several provisions that may be added to a pooling or unit designation in Arkansas to safeguard the rights of both the operators and the mineral rights owners. These provisions aim to ensure fair distribution of revenues, manage environmental concerns, and streamline administrative procedures. Some key provisions commonly included in Arkansas' pooling or unitization agreements are: 1. Integration: The integration provision enables the combination of neighboring tracts or mineral interests into a single pool or unit. This ensures the efficient extraction of resources and prevents wasteful drilling practices. 2. Compulsory Pooling: Also known as forced pooling, this provision empowers the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission to pool the mineral interests of non-consenting owners. It ensures that all parties benefit from the resource extraction while protecting the rights of individual landowners. 3. Default Participation: This provision establishes the terms for non-participating owners in a pool or unit. It determines their share of revenues or costs based on their mineral ownership and participation status. 4. Surface Operations: These provisions define the limitations for surface operations such as drilling, well spacing, and access roads to minimize environmental impact and ensure the safety of nearby communities and natural resources. 5. Royalty Allocation: The allocation of royalties provision specifies how the proceeds from oil and gas production will be distributed among the working interest owners and royalty owners within the pool or unit. 6. Administrative Procedures: This provision outlines the administrative processes and requirements for pooling or unitization, including notifications, hearings, and appeals for interested parties. Other types of Arkansas provisions that may be added to a pooling or unit designation include terms related to lease extensions, minimum acreage requirements, curing periods for incomplete wells, and voluntary pooling, among others. Each provision aims to create a balanced regulatory framework that fosters efficient resource development while protecting the rights of all stakeholders involved. It is important to note that the specific provisions in a pooling or unit designation may vary depending on the unique characteristics of the oil and gas reservoir, various stakeholders' interests, and regulatory changes over time.