This section says the chapter does not apply to several listed categories of land and minerals, defines when land is in a producing area, and limits how certain oil and gas interests may be pooled or unitized.
Sec. 32.002. APPLICATION OF CHAPTER. (a) This chapter does not apply to: (1) land dedicated by the constitution or a law of this state to The University of Texas System, land donated by a will or instrument in writing or otherwise to The University of Texas System, as trustee, for a scientific, educational, or other charitable or public purpose, or any other land under the control of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System; (2) land whose title is vested in the state for the use and benefit of any part of The Texas A&M University System or land under the control of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System; (3) minerals subject to lease under Subchapter F, Chapter 52, commonly known as the Relinquishment Act, and Subchapters B and C, Chapter 53; (4) land owned by the Parks and Wildlife Department; or (5) land owned by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. (a-1) Oil and gas underlying land that is owned by this state, was acquired to construct or maintain a highway, road, street, or alley, is located in a producing area, and is subject to an oil or gas lease may be pooled or unitized only prospectively and is subject to Sections 32.201, 32.202, and 32.203. (b) For purposes of Subsection (a-1), land is located in a producing area if the closest boundary line of the surface of such land is within 2,500 feet of a well capable of producing oil or gas in paying quantities. (c) Oil and gas underlying land not located within a producing area or that is leased for the specific purpose of drilling a horizontal well may be leased under the provisions of Section 32.201 of this code. (d) If title to land subject to Subchapter F, Chapter 52 of this code, commonly known as the Relinquishment Act, is acquired by a department, board, or agency of the state, the land shall be leased as provided by Chapter 52 of this code for the leasing of unsold public school land. (e) If title to land subject to Subchapter C, Chapter 53, of this code is acquired by a department, board, or agency of the state, the land shall be leased as provided by Chapter 53 of this code for the leasing of unsold surveyed public school lands. (f) This chapter does not authorize drilling or other operations on the surface of land during the period in which the land is used by this state as a highway, road, street, or alley. Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 624, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, Sec. 6.05(e), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 642, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 22(50), eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1175 (H.B. 3461), Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.