Virginia single-well operator bonds.
From $225.

Before the Division of Gas and Oil issues a permit for a single gas or oil well, Virginia requires a bond under Code of Virginia § 45.2-1633 guaranteeing the well is properly plugged and the site reclaimed. Premiums start from $225 at the $10,000 statutory minimum — your exact price is 2% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, shown at the application.

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Required under § 45.2-1633 for a single-well gas or oil permit through the Division of Gas and Oil

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Amount is not less than $10,000 per well, plus $2,000 per acre of disturbed land to the nearest tenth of an acre

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Premiums start from $225 — your exact price appears at the application; a soft credit check may apply and never affects your score

From $225starting premiumYour priceshown at applicationSoft pullnever affects your score

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How it works

Apply to permitted in short order.

Your single-well permit is waiting on this bond. Here is the whole process — no broker phone tag:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount your permit requires, and the effective date — that is the application. A quick soft credit check may apply and never affects your score.

RIGHT AWAY

Approved

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

SAME DAY

File with the Division of Gas and Oil

Receive the executed bond ready to file with your permit application under § 45.2-1633. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Division insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the single-well bond actually guarantees

Virginia regulates gas and oil operations through the Department of Energy’s Division of Gas and Oil under the Virginia Gas and Oil Act. Before a permit issues, Code of Virginia § 45.2-1633 conditions it on a bond guaranteeing that the operator will properly plug the well and reclaim the disturbed surface if it walks away.

For a single well, the statute sets the bond at not less than $10,000 per well, plus $2,000 for each acre of disturbed land, measured to the nearest tenth of an acre. The Division may require additional security for wells proposed in Tidewater Virginia. The form on your application asks for the dollar amount of the stabilized project area, which is how that acreage figure is calculated.

It is not insurance for you. If the Division has to plug the well or reclaim the site and recovers against the bond, you repay the surety. Operators who plug and reclaim on schedule treat the bond as a permit formality.

Code of Virginia § 45.2-1633Code of Virginia § 45.2-1633 (Virginia Gas and Oil Act) conditions a gas or oil well permit on a bond filed with the Division of Gas and Oil, with the single-well amount set at not less than $10,000 per well plus $2,000 for each acre of disturbed land. The Director may require additional security for wells in Tidewater Virginia. Confirm the exact amount on your permit application.

You need this bond if you are

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Permitting a single gas or oil well through the Division of Gas and Oil

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Drilling one new well rather than carrying a blanket bond across many

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A small operator who prefers a per-well bond sized to one site

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Re-permitting a well whose prior bond was released or non-renewed

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including a quick soft credit check that never affects your score. Submit once and your bond is issued when you pay.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Virginia single-well operator bond?Premiums start from $225. Your exact price is set by the bond amount — § 45.2-1633 sets it at not less than $10,000 per well, plus $2,000 for each acre of disturbed land — and appears at the application: 2% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee.

Do I pay the bond amount?No. You pay the premium, which is 2% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee — $225 at the $10,000 statutory minimum. The bond amount is the surety’s maximum exposure to the Division if you fail to plug and reclaim; it is not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

Who requires this bond?The Virginia Department of Energy’s Division of Gas and Oil requires it as a condition of a gas or oil well permit under the Virginia Gas and Oil Act, § 45.2-1633. No bond, no permit.

Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply — it’s never a hard inquiry and has no impact on your score. Your price is 2% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee — $225 at the $10,000 statutory minimum.

Should I get a single-well or a blanket bond?A single-well bond is sized to one site. If you operate several Virginia wells, a blanket bond ($25,000–$200,000) can cover all of them under one filing — we write both, so send us your situation and we’ll confirm which is cheaper.

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 Virginia bonds.

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