The West Virginia Declaration of Pooled Unit — Short Form is a legal document that pertains to the creation and operation of a pooled unit for oil and gas wells in the state of West Virginia. This declaration establishes the rights and obligations of the participating owners, known as unit operators and unit holders, and outlines the terms and conditions of the pooled unit arrangement. In West Virginia, there are two main types of Declaration of Pooled Unit — Short Form that are commonly used: 1. Mutual Agreement Pooled Unit: This type of declaration is executed when all interested parties, including the mineral owners and leaseholders, agree to pool their interests into a unified unit. The participating owners collectively share the risks and rewards of drilling and producing from the pooled unit. 2. Compulsory Integration Pooled Unit: In cases where not all parties agree to pool their interests voluntarily, West Virginia law provides for the compulsory integration of interests. This means that the operator has the authority to include non-consenting owners' interests in the pooled unit, ensuring fair compensation and participation in the resulting production. The West Virginia Declaration of Pooled Unit — Short Form typically includes the following key provisions: 1. Identification of the unit boundaries: The declaration specifies the geographical area encompassed by the pooled unit, generally identified by metes and bounds descriptions or survey references. 2. Designation of the unit operator: The document designates the entity responsible for managing the pooled unit operations. The unit operator oversees drilling and production activities and ensures compliance with relevant regulations. 3. Allocation of costs and expenses: The declaration outlines how costs related to drilling, operating, and maintaining the pooled unit will be allocated among the participating owners. Common methods include proportionate allocation based on interest size or track record of production. 4. Distribution of income and royalties: The document details how revenues generated from the pooled unit's production will be distributed among the participating owners. This may include provisions for the payment of royalties, overriding royalties, or production payments. 5. Duration and termination: The declaration specifies the duration of the pooled unit, typically including provisions for extension or termination at the discretion of the unit operator or a specified majority of the participating owners. 6. Governing law and dispute resolution: The document specifies that West Virginia law governs the interpretation and enforcement of the declaration and outlines the procedures for resolving disputes among the participating owners. The West Virginia Declaration of Pooled Unit — Short Form plays a crucial role in facilitating the efficient exploration and production of oil and gas resources in the state. By pooling interests, the participating owners can collectively benefit from economies of scale, enhance recovery techniques, and maximize the potential of the underlying mineral assets.