Integration of fractional tracts

1. When two or more separately owned tracts are embraced within a spacing unit, or when there are separately owned interests in all or a part of the spacing unit, then the owners and royalty owners of the tracts may pool their interests for the development and operation of the spacing unit. In the absence of voluntary pooling, the department, upon the application of any interested person, shall enter an order pooling all interests in the spacing unit for the development and operations of the unit. Each pooling order shall be made after notice and hearing, and shall be upon terms and conditions that are just and reasonable, and that afford to the owner of each tract or interest in the spacing unit the opportunity to recover or receive, without unnecessary expense, a just and equitable share. Operations incident to the drilling of a well upon any portion of a spacing unit covered by a pooling order shall be deemed for all purposes to be the conduct of the operations upon each separately owned tract in the drilling unit by the several owners of the unit. That portion of the production allocated to each tract included in a spacing unit covered by a pooling order shall, when produced, be deemed for all purposes to have been produced from the tract by a well drilled on it. 2. Each pooling order shall make provision for the drilling and operation of a well on the spacing unit, and for the payment of the reasonable actual cost of the well by the owners of interests in the spacing unit, plus a reasonable charge for supervision. In the event of any dispute as to such costs, the department shall determine the proper costs. If an owner shall drill and operate, or pay the expenses of drilling and operating the well for the benefit of others, then, the owner so drilling or operating shall, upon complying with the terms of section 458A.10, have a lien on the share of production from the spacing unit accruing to the interest of each of the other owners for the payment of a proportionate share of the expenses. All the oil and gas subject to the lien shall be marketed and sold and the proceeds applied in payment of the expenses secured by the lien as provided for in section 458A.10.