Fla. Stat. 377.2434
Property rights to injected natural gas


(1)

All natural gas that has previously been reduced to possession and that is subsequently injected into a natural gas storage facility is at all times the property of the injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns, whether owned by the injector or stored under contract.

(2)

Such gas may not be subject to the right of the owner of the surface of the lands or of any mineral interest therein, under which the natural gas storage facilities lie, or to the right of any person, other than the injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns, to waste or otherwise interfere with or exercise control over such gas, to produce, to take, or to reduce to possession, by means of the law of capture or otherwise. This subsection does not affect the ownership of hydrocarbons occurring naturally within this state or the right of the owner of the surface of the lands or of any mineral interest therein to drill or bore through the natural gas storage facilities in a manner that will protect the facilities against pollution or the escape of stored natural gas.

(3)

With regard to natural gas that has migrated to adjoining property or to a stratum, or portion thereof, which has not been condemned or otherwise purchased:The injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns:
May not lose title to or possession of the gas if the injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the gas was originally injected into the underground storage; and
Have the right to conduct tests on any existing wells on adjoining property as may be reasonable to determine ownership of the gas, but the tests are solely at the injector’s risk and expense.
The owner of the stratum and the owner of the surface are entitled to compensation, including compensation for use of or damage to the surface or substratum, as provided by law.

(a)

The injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns:May not lose title to or possession of the gas if the injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the gas was originally injected into the underground storage; andHave the right to conduct tests on any existing wells on adjoining property as may be reasonable to determine ownership of the gas, but the tests are solely at the injector’s risk and expense.
1. May not lose title to or possession of the gas if the injector or the injector’s heirs, successors, or assigns can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the gas was originally injected into the underground storage; and
2. Have the right to conduct tests on any existing wells on adjoining property as may be reasonable to determine ownership of the gas, but the tests are solely at the injector’s risk and expense.

(b)

The owner of the stratum and the owner of the surface are entitled to compensation, including compensation for use of or damage to the surface or substratum, as provided by law.

Source: Section 377.2434 — Property rights to injected natural gas, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0377.­2434 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

377.01
Governor to enter into interstate compact to conserve oil and gas
377.03
Extension of compact
377.04
Official report of state
377.06
Public policy of state concerning natural resources of oil and gas
377.07
Division of Resource Management
377.10
Certain persons not to be employed by division
377.18
Common sources of oil and gas
377.19
Definitions
377.20
Waste prohibited
377.21
Jurisdiction of division
377.22
Rules and orders
377.23
Monthly reports to division
377.24
Notice of intention to drill well
377.25
Production pools
377.26
Location of wells
377.27
Drilling units
377.28
Cycling, pooling, and unitization of oil and gas
377.29
Agreements in interest of conservation
377.30
Limitation on amount of oil or gas taken
377.31
Evidence of rules and orders
377.32
Issuance of subpoenas
377.33
Injunctions against division
377.34
Actions and injunctions by division
377.35
Suits, proceedings, appeals, etc
377.36
False entries and statements
377.37
Penalties
377.38
Illegal oil, gas, and other products
377.39
Seizure and sale of illegal oil, gas, or product
377.40
Negligently permitting gas and oil to go wild or out of control
377.41
Disposition of fines
377.42
Big Cypress Swamp Advisory Committee
377.075
Division of Technical Services
377.241
Criteria for issuance of permits
377.242
Permits for drilling or exploring and extracting through well holes or by other means
377.243
Conditions for granting permits for extraction through well holes
377.244
Conditions for granting permits for surface exploratory and extraction operations
377.245
Provision for distribution of earnings to lessees or owners of the fractional undivided mineral rights not owned by applicant for permit under ss
377.247
Designation and distribution of earnings owed to owners of mineral rights who are unknown or unlocated
377.371
Pollution prohibited
377.2407
Natural gas storage facility permit application to inject gas into and recover gas from a natural gas storage reservoir
377.2408
Application to conduct geophysical operations
377.2409
Geophysical activities
377.2411
Lawful right to drill, develop, or explore
377.2421
Division to review federal applications
377.2424
Conditions for granting permits for geophysical operations
377.2425
Manner of providing security for geophysical exploration, drilling, and production
377.2426
Abandonment of geophysical holes
377.2431
Conditions for granting permits for natural gas storage facilities
377.2432
Natural gas storage facilities
377.2433
Protection of natural gas storage facilities
377.2434
Property rights to injected natural gas
377.2435
Rule adoption relating to natural gas storage

Current through Fall 2025

§ 377.2434. Prop. rights to injected natural gas's source at flsenate​.gov