Natural Resources Code § 92.005

Sec. 92.005. USE OF OPERATIONS SITE. (a) An owner of a possessory mineral interest within a qualified subdivision may use only the surface contained in designated operations sites for exploration, development, and production of minerals and the designated easements only as necessary to adequately use the operations sites. (b) The owner of the possessory mineral interest may drill wells or extend well bores from an operations site or from a site outside of the qualified subdivision under the surface of other parts of the qualified subdivision if the operations do not unreasonably interfere with the use of the surface of the qualified subdivision outside the operations site. (c) This section ceases to apply to a subdivision if, by the third anniversary of the date on which the order of the commission becomes final: (1) the surface owner has not commenced actual construction of roads or utilities within the qualified subdivision; and (2) a lot within the qualified subdivision has not been sold to a third party. Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4009, ch. 624, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1983. Amended by Acts, 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 274, Sec. 3, eff. June 11, 1987.