55-1003. Disposal of oil-field or gas-field brines and mineralized waters; plans and specifications; approval; disposal wells; notice and hearing; judicial review; eminent domain. Each company or corporation engaged in the production of petroleum or natural gas in Kansas, or organized for the purpose of providing for disposal of oil-field or gas-field brines and mineralized waters, may own, lease, construct, operate, and maintain pipelines, reservoirs, treatment plants, disposal wells, and other facilities for the conveyance and disposal of such brines and mineralized waters.

Any person, company or corporation engaged in the production of petroleum or natural gas in Kansas, or in the disposal of oil-field or gas-field brines and mineralized waters, may provide for financing and acquiring the necessary land, easements and rights-of-way, and may own, lease, construct, operate and maintain the works necessary for such disposal. For the disposal of oil-field or gas-field brines and mineralized waters, the plans and specifications for such disposal works shall be submitted to and be approved by the state corporation commission. The commission, in giving approval, shall determine that the proposed method of disposal: (1) Will not result in the loss or waste of gas or petroleum resources; and (2) is a feasible method to be employed in protecting the water resources of the state from preventable pollution. If the commission finds upon investigation that the most feasible method for the prevention of pollution is by a disposal well, the commission shall give notice thereof to the owner of wells producing such brines and mineralized waters of the findings.

If the owner of the wells producing such brines and mineralized waters desires to contest the findings of the commission, such owner shall give notice to the commission within 10 days after receipt of notice thereof. Thereupon, the commission shall proceed to hear and determine the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act. If upon such hearing, the commission sustains the findings, or if such findings are not contested, the commission shall issue an order directing the owner of the wells producing such brines and mineralized waters to provide the necessary disposal system.

Actions for judicial review of any action of the commission under the provisions of this act may be brought as provided in K.S.A. 55-606, and amendments thereto. Upon final order sustaining the findings of the commission, the owner of such wells shall provide the required disposal system in accordance with K.S.A. 55-901, and amendments thereto, and is hereby authorized to exercise the right of eminent domain as provided in K.S.A. 26-501 to 26-516, inclusive, and amendments to such sections, for the purpose of acquiring the necessary rights-of-way and sites for the disposal of such brines and mineralized waters.

History: L. 1945, ch. 234, § 2; L. 1963, ch. 234, § 78; L. 1975, ch. 462, § 66; L. 1986, ch. 201, § 20; L. 1988, ch. 356, § 172; July 1, 1989.