(1) Any person may investigate an abandoned well upon receipt of approval from the department. The person shall submit to the department:
(a) An application requesting approval to investigate and stating the planned methods for the investigation. In all cases where there has been a complete severance of the ownership of the oil and gas from the ownership of the surface to be disturbed, the application shall include a plan to prevent erosion and sedimentation;
(b) A twenty-five dollar ($25) fee; and (c) A certification by the applicant that he has the authority to enter the property upon which the well is located and to conduct the investigation.
(2) The department shall review all applications for investigation. If the department approves the request for investigation, the applicant shall be allowed to produce the well without a permit as required by KRS 353.570, and the applicant shall submit a report of investigation to the department on forms provided by the department. In order to produce the well for more than sixty (60) days, the applicant must obtain a bond as required by KRS 353.590(7) or (12). Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 353.590(2), no fee shall be required for any such well.