(1) No exploratory well, or any part of the bore, casing, or drill site, shall be located closer than 500 feet (152 meters) to the external boundary of those lands on which the operator and/or their partners hold a contiguous mineral-interest.

(2) Upon written request to the supervisor, the committee may grant exceptions to the exploratory well set back requirements for good cause shown, provided that all owners of oil and gas and surface rights within a 500-foot radius of the well consent in writing to the proposed location.