43 CFR § 3261.18 - Do I need to file a bond with BLM before I build a well pad or drill a well?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t43/s3261.18"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "43 CFR § 3261.18 - Do I need to file a bond with BLM before I build a well pad or drill a well?"
title_number: 43
title_name: "Public Lands: Interior"
section_number: "3261.18"
section_name: "Do I need to file a bond with BLM before I build a well pad or drill a well?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000)"
part_number: "3200"
part_name: "GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE LEASING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "30 U.S.C. 1001-1028; 43 U.S.C. 1701  and Pub. L. 109-58."
regulatory_source: "72 FR 24400, May 2, 2007, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "3200"
---


# 3261.18 Do I need to file a bond with BLM before I build a well pad or drill a well?

Before starting any operation, you must:

(a) File with BLM either a surety or personal bond in the following minimum amount:

(1) $10,000 for a single lease;

(2) $50,000 for all of your operations within a state; or

(3) $150,000 for all of your operations nationwide;

(b) Get our approval of your surety or personal bond; and

(c) To cover any drilling operations on all leases committed to a unit, either submit a bond for that unit in an amount we specify, or provide a rider to a statewide or nationwide bond specifically covering the unit in an amount we specify.

(d) See subparts 3214 and 3215 for additional details on bonding procedures.