Oregon Revised Statutes Mineral Resources § 522.465

As part of a proposed rule or order designating a unit area and approving a unitization plan or as part of a unit agreement, the working interest owners under the agreement, within the time specified by the governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, shall appoint the unit operator. If the working interest owners do not make the appointment within the specified time, the board shall appoint the unit operator.