Virginia Code Title 45.2. Mines, Minerals, and Energy § 45.2-1602. Construction; purposes

1. To foster, encourage, and promote the safe and efficient exploration for and development, production, utilization, and conservation of the Commonwealth's gas and oil resources;

2. To provide a method of gas and oil conservation for maximizing exploration, development, production, and utilization of gas and oil resources;

3. To recognize and protect the rights of any person owning an interest in gas or oil resources contained within a pool;

4. To ensure the safe recovery of coal and other minerals;

5. To maximize the production and recovery of coal without substantially affecting the right of a gas or oil owner proposing to drill a gas or oil well to explore for and produce gas or oil;

6. To protect the citizens and the environment of the Commonwealth from the public safety and environmental risks associated with the development and production of gas or oil; and

7. To recognize that the use of the surface for gas or oil development shall be only the use that is reasonably necessary to obtain the gas or oil.