Oil and Gas Program

The Oil and Gas Program (Chapter 377, Florida Statutes and Rules 62C-25 through 30, Florida Administrative Code) is the permitting authority for oil and gas drilling, production, and geophysical exploration within the State. Companies interested in exploration or production of hydrocarbons in Florida are regulated pursuant to Chapter 377 Florida Statutes and related rules implemented by the Oil and Gas Program. Primary responsibilities of the Program include conservation of oil and gas resources, correlative rights protection, maintenance of health and human safety, and environmental protection. These concerns are addressed through a system of permits and field inspections to insure compliance.

Key activities include permitting geophysical operations, (usually seismic prospecting), and drilling or operating wells (all separate permits), and tracking activities through use of a computer database. All permitted activities are inspected by Oil and Gas staff. Two field offices facilitate these inspections. The offices are located near Florida's productive oil fields in northwest (Jay) and south (Ft. Myers) Florida.

Decisions regarding non-routine well spacing, production allowables, field unitization, and sensitive environments often lead to controversy since they invariably affect sensitive issues such as correlative rights or the environment. It is crucial that these decisions be technically and scientifically well-founded. Therefore, expert input from petroleum engineers, petroleum geologists, and various scientific disciplines from other governmental agencies are included in the permitting process.

Lloyd, J.M., 1992, 1990 and 1991 Florida petroleum production and exploration including Florida petroleum reserve estimates by Charles H. Tootle: Florida Geological Survey Information Circular 108, 31 p.

Please see the FGS List of Publications for a more complete listing, including ordering information.