Ohio individual well bonds.
$250.

Ohio requires a $5,000 plugging bond for a single oil & gas well, filed with the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management before the well is permitted or operated. Ours is $250, set by our carrier’s rate book for this bond. One soft credit pull, never a hard inquiry, never a hit to your score.

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Covers one well — the per-well bond when you don’t need a blanket bond

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Filed with the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management under ORC 1509.07

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Soft credit pull only — never a hard inquiry, never affects your score, and the price you see is the checkout price

A-ratedA.M. Best carriers$250the checkout price1–3 yrterms available

Trusted by industry leaders

How it works

Three steps to filed.

Your single-well permit is waiting on this bond. Here’s the whole process:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply once, online

Operator details, owner information, effective date. The only extra step is a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

RIGHT AWAY

Approved

Most are approved as soon as you apply. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score. If it needs a second look, one to two business days at most.

WHEN YOU PAY

E-sign & file with ODNR

Pay online and receive the executed individual bond ready to file with the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Division insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the individual well bond actually guarantees

Ohio regulates oil & gas wells through the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management. Under ORC 1509.07, an owner must file a surety bond — conditioned on restoring the site, properly plugging the well, and complying with the permit — before a permit is issued or the well is operated.

The individual bond is $5,000 and covers a single well, set by Ohio Administrative Code 1501:9-1-03. If you operate more than two or three wells, the $15,000 blanket bond — which covers all of them — is usually the cheaper route.

It is not insurance for you — if the state forfeits the bond and uses it to plug or restore a well you abandoned, you repay the surety. Operators who plug and restore on schedule treat the bond as a permit formality. We track it and notify you 60 and 30 days before expiration.

ORC 1509.07 / OAC 1501:9-1-03Ohio Revised Code 1509.07 requires an oil & gas well owner to file a surety bond with the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management, conditioned on restoration, plugging, and permit compliance, in an amount set by rule of the chief. Ohio Administrative Code 1501:9-1-03 sets the amounts at $5,000 for an individual bond covering a single well and $15,000 for a blanket bond covering all of the owner’s wells. Confirm the figure on your permit paperwork.

You need this bond if you're

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Permitting a single well — the $5,000 individual bond is filed before drilling

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A small operator with one or two wells, where a blanket bond isn’t worth it

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Acquiring one well and re-bonding it in your name

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Replacing a non-renewed bond to keep the well in compliance

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. Submit once and your bond is issued when you pay.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Ohio individual well bond?The premium is $250 — set by our carrier’s rate book for this specific bond, the same for every operator. The $5,000 bond amount is set by Ohio Administrative Code 1501:9-1-03.

Should I get the blanket bond instead?If you operate more than two or three wells, yes — the $15,000 blanket bond covers all of them for $750, which beats stacking $5,000 individual bonds. For one well, the individual bond at $250 is the cheaper choice.

Do I pay the $5,000?No. You pay $250. The $5,000 is the surety's maximum liability to the state if your bond is forfeited — it's not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

Is there a credit check?Yes — a quick soft credit check may apply, never a hard inquiry and no impact on your score. It informs approval, not price. The price stays $250 either way.

When does it renew?Terms run 1, 2, or 3 years — your choice at purchase. We send renewal notices 60 and 30 days out, with autopay available, so your ODNR filing stays continuous.

Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.

How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.

Related bonds

Other Ohio bonds.

Single-well bond, filed this week.

$250, short application, bond issued when you pay. Free until issued.

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Your price$250

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