Illinois Provisions That May Be Added to A Pooling Or Unit Designation In Illinois, pooling or unit designations are established to efficiently manage the extraction and production of oil and gas resources. These designations allow multiple mineral rights owners to combine their leases, acreage, and production into a single, organized unit. To further regulate the pooling or unitization process, Illinois has implemented several provisions that can be added to such designations. These provisions aim to protect the rights of all parties involved and ensure fair distribution of profits. 1. Force Pooling Provision: The force pooling provision grants an operator the authority to include non-consenting mineral rights owners in the pooled unit. Non-consenting owners are those who have not agreed to pool their interests voluntarily. This provision guarantees that all owners within the unit share in the benefits and burdens of resource extraction. 2. Cost Recovery Provision: The cost recovery provision allows the operator to recoup reasonable and necessary costs associated with drilling, operating, and maintaining the pooled unit. These costs include expenses for equipment, labor, and facility maintenance. The provision ensures that costs are shared proportionally among the participating owners. 3. Equal Sharing Provision: The equal sharing provision mandates that all owners within a pooled unit receive an equal share of profits, costs, and risks. This provision prevents preferential treatment and ensures fairness in the allocation of resources. 4. Voting Provision: A voting provision may be added, allowing owners to participate in decisions regarding the operations of the unit. Each owner usually has a number of votes proportional to their acreage or mineral rights interest. The provision enables owners to have a say in the management of the pooled unit. 5. Dissolution Provision: In certain situations, a dissolution provision may be included in the pooling or unit designation to allow for the termination of the unit. It outlines the conditions under which the pooling agreement can be terminated and the process for distributing the assets or royalties among the owners. It is important to note that these provisions may vary depending on the specific pooling or unitization agreement drafted for a particular project. Different operators and owners may negotiate additional provisions or modify the existing ones to suit their specific needs. Therefore, it is crucial for all parties involved to thoroughly review and understand the provisions outlined in the unit designation before entering into an agreement. In summary, Illinois has established various provisions that can be added to a pooling or unit designation to regulate the extraction and production of oil and gas resources. These provisions include force pooling, cost recovery, equal sharing, voting, and dissolution provisions. These provisions ensure the fair and efficient management of pooled units while protecting the rights and interests of all involved parties.