(1) Any person in possession as owner, lessee, agent or manager of any well in which oil, gas or salt water has been found shall, unless the product is utilized, close the well within a reasonable time not exceeding three (3) months from the completion of the well, in order to prevent the product from wasting by escape, and keep the well closed until the product is utilized. This subsection does not apply to gas escaping from any well while it is being operated as an oil well, or while it is used for fresh or mineral water.
(2) If a person fails to comply with subsection (1), any person lawfully in possession of land adjacent to or in the neighborhood of the well may enter upon the land on which the well is located and tube and pack it, and shut in the oil, gas or salt water. Any person so closing the well may maintain a civil action against the owner, lessee, agent or manager, jointly and severally, to recover the cost.
Effective: October 1, 1942
History: Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky.
Stat. secs. 3910, 3913.