Geology & Oil Regulation

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Iowa's Geology

Iowa’s bedrock, glacial deposits and soils are the rich legacy of a billion years of earth history. They contain valuable minerals, energy resources, and ample supplies of groundwater. They also host areas of unstable ground, unforeseen risks for construction and development, and regions vulnerable to groundwater and ecosystem degradation. 

These buried treasures and hazards are not uniformly distributed across the state, and significant information of the states geology is needed to develop resources and avoid hazards. As such, knowledge of Iowa’s geology is a key component for resilient communities, economic development, and a healthy environment for Iowa’s citizens.

Geologic and well data, reports, geologic maps, and technical assistance are available from the Iowa Geological Survey at the University of Iowa or call 319-335-1575.

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Oil, Gas, & Metallic Mineral Regulatory Information

Administration of the State of Iowa’s laws and regulations governing oil, gas, and metallic mineral exploration and production are assigned to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The specific laws and rules are:

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Application & Reporting Forms

Operators are required to obtain a drilling permit from the department, and to file specific forms with the department. Please note that several of the forms have recently been updated, so pay close attention to the instructions with those forms.

The Iowa Department of Health regulates radioactive down-hole logging in Iowa.

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