(a) Gas flared following well completion or recompletion is royalty-free under §§ 3179.41(b)(2) and 3179.42(b) until one of the following occurs:

(1) Thirty days have passed since the beginning of the flowback following completion or recompletion, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section;

(2) The operator has flared 20,000 Mcf of gas; or

(3) Flowback has been routed to the production separator.

(b) The BLM may extend the period specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, not to exceed an additional 60 days, based on flowback delays caused by well or equipment problems.

(c) The BLM may increase the limit specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section by up to an additional 30,000 Mcf of gas for exploratory oil wells in remote locations where additional flaring may be needed in advance of construction of pipeline infrastructure.

(d) During the dewatering and initial evaluation of an exploratory coalbed methane well, the 30-day period specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section is extended to 90 days. The BLM may approve up to two extensions of this evaluation period, not to exceed 90 days per each approval.

(e) The operator must submit its request for an extension under paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this section using a Sundry Notice.