Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 82. MINERALS, OIL, AND GAS

CHAPTER 11. OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION

Part 1. Regulation by Board of Oil and Gas Conservation

Violations

82-11-147. Violations. (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, if the board finds upon receipt of evidence:

(a) that a person is violating or threatening to violate this chapter or a rule or order of the board, the board may bring suit against that person in the district court of any county where the violation occurs or is threatened to restrain the person from continuing the violation or from carrying out the threat of violation; or

(b) that a person is violating this chapter or a rule or order of the board in a manner for which the board is authorized to institute proceedings pursuant to 82-11-149, the board may issue an order either assessing a civil penalty in the amount prescribed in 82-11-149, up to a maximum administrative penalty of $125,000, or requiring compliance with this chapter or a rule or order, or both.

(2) In a suit under subsection (1)(a), the court may grant to the board, without bond or other undertaking, such prohibitory and mandatory injunctions as the facts may warrant, including temporary restraining orders.

History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 238, L. 1953; amd. Sec. 75, Ch. 253, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 60-136; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 503, L. 1987.