Government Decision No. 340 “On issuing water use permits for illegally exploited as well as non-exploited wells, their liquidation and conservation procedure”.

This Government Decision regulates relations in the field assessment of applications submitted to the authorized body for the extension of illegally operated, drilled, non-operated wells and the validity periods of water use permits, as well as the procedure for the liquidation and conservation of these wells. In cases of conservation and liquidation of wells operated on the basis of a water use permit granted in accordance with the national legislation, the persons operating them are the persons responsible for these wells. Liquidation of wells shall be intended plugged-back total depth and cementing. Conservation shall be intended plugging of wells. Applications for extension or issuance of water use permits related to illegally operated, drilled, non-operated wells and expired water use permits are assessed positively by the Ministry of Environment of the in the presence of a positive conclusion of the interdepartmental commission on environmental protection issues. The authorized body makes a decision taking into account the commission’s conclusion.