AOGC’s mission is the regulation of the Arkansas oil, gas and brine industries to prevent waste, encourage conservation and protect the correlative rights of mineral ownership associated with the production of oil, natural gas, brine and associated products.  The AOGC has issued more than 38,000 permits to drill oil, gas and brine wells since the Commission’s creation in 1939.  The Commission maintains well-specific permitting, drilling, plugging and abandonment and production records for these wells.  A nine-member Commission appointed by the governor provides oversight.