According to West Virginia law, after how many months of non-production and non-sale is a well presumed abandoned?

Under West Virginia law, a well is presumed abandoned after 24 months of non-production and non-sale. This timeframe serves as a standard to ensure that resources are being actively managed and that the rights associated with a well are not left dormant indefinitely. The law recognizes that a well that has gone unused for this duration may no longer serve a productive purpose or could signify that the operator is not intending to utilize it in the foreseeable future.

The 24-month period allows for adequate time for operators to manage their wells while also facilitating the eventual reclamation or reassignment of abandoned wells to prevent excessive resource waste. This policy aligns with broader environmental and regulatory goals aimed at maintaining responsible stewardship of natural resources in the state, ensuring that abandoned wells do not pose safety hazards or detract from the potential development of new resources.