S.B. No. 1210
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to
designate certain persons as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas
well.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 89.047(a), Natural Resources Code, is
amended by adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (1-b) to read as follows:
(1-a) "Energy conservation well" means a well used for
the retention of energy that may be used to provide dispatchable
generation of electricity for the power grid.
(1-b) "Geothermal energy and associated resources"
has the meaning assigned by Section 141.003.
SECTION 2. Section 89.047(f), Natural Resources Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(f) The commission shall designate the person as the
operator of the well if the person files with the commission:
(1) a factually supported claim based on a recognized
legal theory to a continuing possessory right in:
(A) the mineral estate accessed by the well,
[such] as established by [evidence of] a current oil and gas lease,
[or] a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the mineral estate,
or any other documentation of an interest in the mineral estate;
(B) the geothermal energy and associated
resources estate accessed by the well, as established by a current
geothermal lease, a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the
geothermal estate, or any other documentation of an interest in the
geothermal estate; or
(C) the geologic space accessed by the well for
the purpose of an energy conservation well, as established by a
recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the space accessed by the
well or any other documentation of an interest in that space;
(2) a completed certificate of compliance; and
(3) a nonrefundable fee in the amount of $250.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1210 passed the Senate on
April 20, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1210 passed the House on
May 5, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor