ORS 522.505: Unauthorized operation in unit area prohibited; exemption.

(1) The operation of a geothermal well in a unit area by anyone other than by a person or state or local governing body, special district or agency acting under the unit’s authority shall be unlawful. That operation is prohibited from the effective date of the board rule or order creating the unit and prescribing the unitization plan or the unit agreement, except in the manner and to the extent provided in the unitization plan or agreement.

      (2) The provisions of ORS 273.775, 308A.050 to 308A.128, 522.005, 522.015, 522.405 to 522.545, 522.815 and 522.990 shall not affect the ability of a ground water user to exercise a water right that existed before the initiation of a unit agreement.