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Crown Minerals Act 1991

Permits, access to land, and other matters - Decommissioning of petroleum infrastructure and wells - Decommissioning obligations in relation to wells

89R: Obligations of permit holders: decommissioning of wells

You could also call this:

"When you're done using a well, you must fill it and make it safe"

Illustration for Crown Minerals Act 1991

If you hold a permit to drill wells, you must plug and abandon them when you are finished. This means you have to fill the wells and make them safe. You must do this for all wells that were drilled or used for activities allowed by your permit. You are also responsible for plugging and abandoning older wells that are related to your permit. If you are giving up part of your permit area, you must plug and abandon the wells in that area. You have to pay for the cost of plugging and abandoning the wells yourself.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS622407.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
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89Q: What is plugging and abandonment of well, or

"Sealing a well permanently so it can't be used again"

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89S: Obligations of licence holders: decommissioning of wells, or

"When you're done using a well, you must fill it in and clean up the site at your own cost."

Part 1BPermits, access to land, and other matters
Decommissioning of petroleum infrastructure and wells: Decommissioning obligations in relation to wells

89RObligations of permit holders: decommissioning of wells

  1. A person who holds or will hold a permit at the time the obligation to plug and abandon 1 or more wells is required to be completed must carry out, and meet the costs of, the plugging and abandoning of all wells—

  2. drilled or used for the purposes of carrying out, or otherwise related to, activities authorised by the current permit (whenever granted), and all relevant older wells; and
    1. in a case where only part of the permit area is to be relinquished or surrendered, located in the area of the permit that is to be relinquished or surrendered, and all relevant older wells.

      1. Repealed

      2. Repealed

      3. Repealed

      4. Repealed
      Notes
      • Section 89R: inserted, on , by section 18 of the Crown Minerals (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 53).
      • Section 89R heading: amended, on , by section 48(1) of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 40).
      • Section 89R(2): repealed, on , by section 48(2) of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 40).
      • Section 89R(3): repealed, on , by section 48(2) of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 40).
      • Section 89R(4): repealed, on , by section 48(2) of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 40).
      • Section 89R(5): repealed, on , by section 48(2) of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 40).