Operators seeking an extension to plug an inactive well must include a written affirmation, and inactive-well operators must mark the wellhead visibly.
Sec. 89.029. AFFIRMATION REGARDING SURFACE REQUIREMENTS. (a) An application for an extension of the deadline for plugging an inactive well must include a written affirmation by the operator: (1) that the operator has physically terminated electric service to the well's production site; and (2) stating the following, as applicable, if the operator does not own the surface of the land on which the well is located: (A) if the well has been inactive for at least five years but for less than 10 years as of the date of renewal of the operator's organization report, that the operator has emptied or purged of production fluids all piping, tanks, vessels, and equipment associated with and exclusive to the well; or (B) if the well has been inactive for at least 10 years as of the date of renewal of the operator's organization report, that the operator has removed: (i) all surface process equipment and related piping, tanks, tank batteries, pump jacks, headers, and fences, as well as junk and trash as defined by commission rule, associated with and exclusive to the well; and (ii) all equipment associated with providing electric service to the well's production site, except for equipment owned by an electric utility, as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code. (b) An operator of an inactive well shall leave a clearly visible marker at the wellhead of the well. (c) The commission shall adopt rules regulating the transfer of material described by Subsection (a)(2)(B) and restricting its accumulation on an active lease. (d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), an operator may be eligible for a temporary extension of the deadline for plugging an inactive well or a temporary exemption from the requirements of Subsection (a) as provided by commission rule if the operator is unable to comply with the requirements of that subsection because of safety concerns or required maintenance of the well site and the operator includes with the application a written affirmation of the facts regarding the safety concerns or maintenance. (e) An operator may be eligible for an extension of the deadline for plugging a well without complying with Subsection (a)(2)(B) if the well is located on a unit or lease or in a field associated with an enhanced oil recovery project and the operator includes a statement in the written affirmation that the well is part of such a project. The exemption provided by this subsection applies only to the equipment required for the project. (f) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subchapter, the commission shall adopt rules providing for the phase-in of the duty to comply with Subsection (a)(2)(B) over a period of five years beginning September 1, 2010. The rules must require the operators of one-fifth of the wells that are subject to that subsection in each year during the phase-in period to comply with that subsection. (g) The commission shall impose an administrative penalty on a person who provides an affirmation under Subsection (a) but fails to terminate electric service to the well's production site in accordance with Subsection (a)(1) or remove all equipment and materials in accordance with Subsection (a)(2)(B). The amount of the penalty may not exceed $25,000 for each violation. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 442 (H.B. 2259), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 271 (H.B. 2663), Sec. 1, eff. May 29, 2025.