---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 C.F.R. § 3284.6"
title: "43"
number: "3284.6"
heading: "May BLM authorize a working interest owner to drill a well on lands committed to the unit?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/43/3284.6"
---

# §3284.6. May BLM authorize a working interest owner to drill a well on lands committed to the unit?

- (a) BLM may authorize a working interest owner to drill a well on the interest owner's lease only if it is located outside of an established participating area. However, BLM will only do so upon determining that:
  - (1) The unit operator is not diligently pursuing unit development; and
  - (2) **Drilling the well is in the public interest.**
- (b) If BLM determines that a working interest has completed a well that will produce or utilize geothermal resources in commercial quantities, the unit operator must:
  - (1) Apply to revise the participating area to include the well; and
  - (2) **Operate the well.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1001-1028 and 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.

### Source

Source: 72 FR 24432, May 2, 2007, unless otherwise noted.