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Oil & Gas Bonds
The bond your regulator requires before you drill, operate or take over wells. It guarantees plugging and site restoration.
Rules as of Sep 29, 2026Part of our specialty surety bonds.
Bond amounts by regulator (rules as of Sep 29, 2026)
Oil and gas well bond requirements depend on who regulates your wells. Find your regulator below, then get a quote.
| Regulator | Bond | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal: BLM (43 CFR 3104) | Individual lease | $150,000 minimum, since Jun 22, 2024 | BLM bonding |
| Statewide | $500,000 minimum, since Jun 22, 2024 | Same. BLM lease bond details | |
| Texas: RRC (16 TAC §3.78) | Blanket | $25,000 (1-10 wells); $50,000 (11-99); $250,000 (100+) | 16 TAC §3.78 and the RRC summary linked on our P-5 page |
| Individual | $2 per foot of total well depth | Same. Texas P-5 bond | |
| New Mexico: OCD (19.15.8.9 NMAC, effective Sep 22, 2026) | Per well | $150,000 per well | NM Register, Vol. XXXVII, Issue 18. New Mexico bond guide |
| Blanket | $250,000 for all active wells | Same | |
| Oklahoma: OCC (52 O.S. §318.1 / OAC 165:10-1-10) | By well count | $25,000 (1-10 wells); $50,000 (11-50); $100,000 (51-100); $150,000 (100+). Optional phase-in through 2028. | HB 1369 (enrolled). Oklahoma bond guide |
| Ohio: ODNR (OAC 1501:9-1-03) | Individual, one well | $5,000 | OAC 1501:9-1-03 and the ODNR surety bond form. Ohio quote |
| Blanket, two or more wells | $15,000 | Same |
Other states: amounts vary. Tell us the state and regulator and we'll quote the bond it names.
These figures come from the sources listed. Your regulator may set the amount for your wells, so confirm it with the agency before you file. Transfers can work differently from new bonds. See the FAQ below.
Federal rules are in flux
On Jun 24, 2026, the BLM published a proposed rule (FR Doc 2026-12734). It would return the minimums to $10,000 per lease and $25,000 statewide. The comment period closed about Aug 24, 2026. As of Sep 29, 2026, no final rule has been published, so the current $150,000 and $500,000 minimums apply.
Check the BLM bonding page for the latest status.
What the bond covers
An oil and gas surety bond guarantees that plugging, abandonment and site restoration get done. If the operator doesn't do the work, the regulator can make a claim on the bond.
Regulators generally ask for this bond before they approve a lease, permit or transfer. Ask your regulator which filing applies to your wells.
How filing works
- Federal leases: the BLM sets the bond requirement. See the BLM bonding page.
- Texas: the RRC rule at 16 TAC §3.78 sets the financial security requirement. See our P-5 page.
- New Mexico: the OCD requirement is in 19.15.8.9 NMAC. See the NM Register notice.
- Oklahoma: the OCC requirement follows HB 1369.
- Ohio: ODNR publishes its surety bond form and the rule at OAC 1501:9-1-03.
How to get bonded
- Tell us your regulator and well count. Use the form above.
- Same-day submission. We send your request to carriers that write oil and gas bonds the day it arrives.
- Get your bond by email. We email your bond as soon as the carrier issues it. You file it with your regulator.
What it costs
The bond amount is what the regulator requires. Your cost is the premium, a fee for the bond. It is not the full bond amount.
The premium is typically a small percentage of the bond amount per year; the carrier sets the final price.
Challenged credit? We work with carriers that write challenged credit; the carrier decides.
You pay nothing to get a quote. Pay only when your bond is issued.
Related energy and environmental bonds
- Mining and coal bonds
- Environmental performance bonds
- Underground storage tank bonds
- Utility deposit bonds
Browse all specialty bonds. See also license bonds and how bond cost works.