By: Blanco S.B. No. 1210

(In the Senate - Filed February 24, 2023; March 9, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development; April 11, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 11, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1210 By: Blanco

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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.

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