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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas to |
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designate certain persons as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas |
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well. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 89.047(a), Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (1-b) to read as follows: |
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(1-a) "Energy conservation well" means a well used for |
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the retention of energy that may be used to provide dispatchable |
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generation of electricity for the power grid. |
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(1-b) "Geothermal energy and associated resources" |
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has the meaning assigned by Section 141.003. |
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SECTION 2. Section 89.047(f), Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(f) The commission shall designate the person as the |
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operator of the well if the person files with the commission: |
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(1) a factually supported claim based on a recognized |
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legal theory to a continuing possessory right in: |
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(A) the mineral estate accessed by the well, |
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[such] as established by [evidence of] a current oil and gas lease, |
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[or] a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the mineral estate, |
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or any other documentation of an interest in the mineral estate; |
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(B) the geothermal energy and associated |
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resources estate accessed by the well, as established by a current |
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geothermal lease, a recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the |
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geothermal estate, or any other documentation of an interest in the |
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geothermal estate; or |
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(C) the geologic space accessed by the well for |
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the purpose of an energy conservation well, as established by a |
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recorded deed conveying a fee interest in the space accessed by the |
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well or any other documentation of an interest in that space; |
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(2) a completed certificate of compliance; and |
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(3) a nonrefundable fee in the amount of $250. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |