The West Virginia Declaration of Pooled Unit for Oil and Gas is a legal document that establishes the consolidation of multiple oil and gas leases or tracts within a specific geographical area, known as a pooled unit. This consolidation allows for efficient and coordinated exploration, extraction, and production of oil and gas resources from the pooled unit. The declaration is typically initiated by an operator or a group of operators who wish to combine their leased lands or interests in the purpose of maximizing the recovery of oil and gas in a particular area. It involves obtaining the consent and participation of all individual mineral interest owners within the defined boundaries of the proposed pooled unit. In West Virginia, there are different types of declarations of pooled unit for oil and gas, including: 1. Voluntary Pooled Units: These are established when all individual mineral interest owners within a specified area agree to consolidate their leases or tracts to form a pooled unit. The consent of each owner is typically required, and they become part of the pooled unit voluntarily. 2. Compulsory Pooled Units: These are established when one or more mineral interest owners within a defined area refuse to participate in the voluntary pooling process. The operator can then petition the West Virginia Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (VOICE) to create a compulsory pooled unit, allowing the operator to include non-consenting parties in the unit. The VOICE reviews the application and considers various factors such as geological evidence, fairness, and the prevention of waste before making a decision. 3. Drilling Units: These are a specific type of pooled unit created for the purpose of drilling and operating a specific well. The declaration of the drilling unit determines the boundaries within which the well can be drilled and from which the oil and gas can be extracted. The West Virginia Declaration of Pooled Unit for Oil and Gas is crucial in fostering efficient resource management, reducing waste, and ensuring fair compensation for mineral interest owners. It facilitates coordination among operators and allows for the optimal development and production of oil and gas resources within the state. Compliance with regulations and obtaining proper approvals from the VOICE are essential steps in establishing and maintaining pooled units in West Virginia's oil and gas industry.