The Michigan Designation of Pooled Unit for Oil and Gas refers to the legal process through which multiple oil and gas leases and mineral interests belonging to several landowners are combined to form a single unit for the purpose of efficient exploration and extraction of oil and gas resources. This unitization process allows for the efficient development of hydrocarbon reservoirs, reduces waste, and maximizes the recovery of oil and gas resources. In Michigan, there are primarily two types of Designation of Pooled Unit for Oil and Gas: voluntary pooling and compulsory pooling. 1. Voluntary Pooling: This type of pooling occurs when all the affected landowners voluntarily agree to combine their oil and gas leases or mineral rights into a single unit. The agreement is typically outlined in a pooling declaration or agreement and is based on mutual understanding and consent among the landowners involved. Voluntary pooling is sought to consolidate acres and create larger drilling units, enabling operators to employ modern drilling techniques such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing efficiently. 2. Compulsory Pooling: Sometimes referred to as forced pooling or statuary pooling, compulsory pooling occurs when one or more oil and gas operators request that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EAGLE) intervene and order the pooling of oil and gas leases or mineral rights against the wishes of specific landowners. Compulsory pooling is typically pursued when one or more landowners refuse to voluntarily participate in a pooling agreement, but their tract of land is deemed necessary for the efficient recovery of oil and gas resources. EAGLE can authorize the compulsory pooling if it determines that it is in the best interest of resource conservation and avoids unnecessary waste of oil or gas. The Michigan Designation of Pooled Unit for Oil and Gas is a crucial mechanism that allows for the collaborative and efficient development of oil and gas resources in the state. It ensures that all landowners have the opportunity to benefit from the production of oil and gas on their property while providing operators with the ability to effectively utilize advanced drilling techniques. This process aims to strike a balance between the rights and interests of individual landowners and the efficient extraction of valuable hydrocarbon reserves.