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2025 Florida Statutes

Title XXVIII NATURAL RESOURCES; CONSERVATION, RECLAMATION, AND USE
Chapter 377 ENERGY RESOURCES Entire Chapter
SECTION 242
Permits for drilling or exploring and extracting through well holes or by other means.
F.S. 377.242
377.242 Permits for drilling or exploring and extracting through well holes or by other means.—
(1) The department is vested with the power and authority:
(a) To issue permits for the drilling for, exploring for, or production of oil, gas, or other petroleum products which are to be extracted from below the surface of the land, including submerged land, only through the well hole drilled for oil, gas, and other petroleum products.
1. A structure intended for the drilling for, or production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be permitted or constructed:
a. On any submerged land within any bay or estuary.
b. Within 1 mile seaward of the coastline of the state.
c. Within 1 mile of the seaward boundary of any state, local, or federal park or aquatic or wildlife preserve or on the surface of a freshwater lake, river, or stream.
d. Within 1 mile inland from the shoreline of the Gulf of America, the Atlantic Ocean, or any bay or estuary or within 1 mile of any freshwater lake, river, or stream unless the department is satisfied that the natural resources of such bodies of water and shore areas of the state will be adequately protected in the event of accident or blowout. For purposes of this sub-subparagraph, the department’s determination of whether a resource is adequately protected must balance the measures in place to protect the natural resources with the potential harm to the natural resources. This balancing test should assess the potential impact of an accident or a blowout on the natural resources of such bodies of water and shore areas, including ecological functions and any water quality impacts. The balancing test must consider the ecological community’s current condition, hydrologic connection, uniqueness, location, fish and wildlife use, time lag, and the potential costs of restoration.
2. Without exception, after July 1, 1989, a structure intended for the drilling for, or production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may not be permitted or constructed south of 26°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s west coast and south of 27°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s east coast, within the boundaries of Florida’s territorial seas as defined in 43 U.S.C. s. 1301. After July 31, 1990, no structure intended for the drilling for, or production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products may be permitted or constructed north of 26°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s west coast to the western boundary of the state bordering Alabama as set forth in s. 1, Art. II of the State Constitution, or located north of 27°00′00″ north latitude off Florida’s east coast to the northern boundary of the state bordering Georgia as set forth in s. 1, Art. II of the State Constitution, within the boundaries of Florida’s territorial seas as defined in 43 U.S.C. s. 1301.
3. Sub-subparagraphs 1.a. and d. do not apply to permitting or construction of structures intended for the drilling for, or production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products pursuant to an oil, gas, or mineral lease of such lands by the state under which lease any valid drilling permits are in effect on the effective date of this act. In the event that such permits contain conditions or stipulations, such conditions and stipulations shall govern and supersede sub-subparagraphs 1.a. and d.
4. The prohibitions of subparagraph 1. do not include “infield gathering lines,” provided no other placement is reasonably available and all other required permits have been obtained.
(b) To issue permits to explore for and extract minerals which are subject to extraction from the land by means other than through a well hole.
(c) To issue permits to establish natural gas storage facilities or construct wells for the injection and recovery of any natural gas for storage in natural gas storage reservoirs.
(2) Each permit shall contain an agreement by the permitholder that the permitholder will not prevent inspection by division personnel at any time. The provisions of this section prohibiting permits for drilling or exploring for oil in coastal waters do not apply to any leases entered into before June 7, 1991.
History.—s. 1, ch. 61-299; ss. 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 72-394; s. 69, ch. 79-65; s. 3, ch. 80-283; s. 2, ch. 83-176; s. 7, ch. 89-175; s. 3, ch. 90-72; s. 9, ch. 91-286; s. 75, ch. 96-323; s. 13, ch. 2013-205; s. 46, ch. 2025-8; s. 2, ch. 2025-193.