Ch. 488                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(b) The Department shall provide public notice, public informational hearings,
and contested case hearings in accordance with the provisions of § [8-206] 5-204 of this
article.

14-111.

(a)     Every holder of a permit to drill for gas or oil shall:

(1)     Submit a completion report on forms to be supplied by the Department
within 30 days after the drilling of a well has been completed;

(2)     Submit cutting samples at the request of the Department;

(3)     Notify the Department when a well is about to be abandoned;

(4)     Seal and plug the well in a manner approved by the Department;

(5)     Post a performance bond to the State in the amount not to exceed
$100,000 for each oil or gas well, and not to exceed $500,000 as a blanket bond for all of
the permit holder's oil or gas wells, with good and sufficient surety, as provided in
subsection (d)(1) of this section, conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of this
subtitle;

(6)     Obtain and keep in effect liability insurance coverage in an amount not
less than $300,000 for each person and $500,000 for each occurrence or accident to pay
damages for injury to persons or damage to property caused by the drilling, production
operations, or plugging of all of the permit holder's gas or oil wells in the State; and

(7)     Notify the Department [and the Department of the Environment] of
the location of the equipment required by regulation for the prevention and containment
of gas leaks and oil spills.

(b)     The Department may adopt regulations to increase the minimum amounts of
liability insurance coverage under subsection (a)(6) of this section.

(c)     The Department shall adopt regulations requiring each holder of a permit to
drill for gas or oil to have equipment available for the prevention and containment of gas
leaks and oil spills.

(d)     A holder of a permit to drill for gas or oil may:

(1)     Post the performance bond under subsection (a)(5) of this section in:
(i) Cash;

(ii) Certificates of deposit;

(iii) Letters of credit from any bank or other savings institution; or
(iv) Any other good and sufficient security; and

(2)     Provide for the holder's own liability insurance under subsection (a)(6)
of this section.

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