Research

Administrative History

The Bureau of Oil and Gas Regulation is a program area within the Department of Environmental Conservation. Its main responsibility is to ensure that all oil and gas activity in New York State is carried out in an environmentally safe and economic manner. To perform this duty, the bureau operates a full regulatory permit program that includes monitoring, inspection, surveillance, and enforcement components; regulates geothermal and stratigraphic test wells; investigates and resolves citizen complaints; ensures compliance of producers with the Federal Natural Gas Policy Act; and collects, processes, and disseminates data and records on drilling, production, and storage of oil, gas, and solution salt. The bureau also provides technical assistance in oil, gas, and solution mining matters to local governments, operators, the public, the department, and other states agencies.