Operators of inactive wells must plug them by the report-renewal date, and the commission can refuse renewal if the operator is not compliant.
Sec. 89.022. PLUGGING OF INACTIVE WELLS REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by Section 89.023, on or before the date the operator is required to renew the operator's organization report required by Section 91.142, an operator of an inactive well must plug the well in accordance with statutes and commission rules in effect at the time of plugging. (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a person who assumes responsibility for the physical operation and control of an existing inactive well must satisfy the requirements of Sections 89.023(a)(1) and (3) not later than six months after the date the commission approves the initial form described by Section 89.002(a)(2) and filed with the commission under which the person assumes responsibility for the well. (c) The commission may not renew or approve the organization report required by Section 91.142 for an operator that fails to comply with the requirements of this subchapter. (d) Before the commission issues an order refusing to renew an operator's organization report under Subsection (c), an authorized commission employee or a person designated by the commission for that purpose must determine whether the operator has failed to comply with the requirements of this subchapter. If the authorized commission employee or designated person determines that the organization report does not qualify for renewal on that ground, the authorized commission employee or designated person must: (1) notify the operator of the determination; (2) provide the operator with a written statement of the reasons the organization report does not qualify for renewal; and (3) notify the operator that the operator has 90 days to comply with the requirements of this subchapter. (e) After the expiration of the period specified by Subsection (d)(3), the authorized commission employee or designated person shall determine whether the organization report qualifies for renewal and notify the operator of the determination. If the authorized commission employee or designated person determines that the organization report does not qualify for renewal because the operator has continued to fail to comply with the requirements of this subchapter, the operator, not later than the 30th day after the date of the determination, may request a hearing regarding the determination. The operator shall pay the costs associated with a hearing requested under this subsection. (f) If the commission determines following the hearing that the operator has failed to comply with the requirements of this subchapter or the operator fails to file a timely request for a hearing, the commission by order shall refuse to renew the organization report. The organization report remains in effect until the commission's order becomes final. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 442 (H.B. 2259), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 562 (H.B. 3134), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.