Natural Resources Code § 52.136

Sec. 52.136. LIEN. (a) The state has a statutory first lien on all oil and gas produced on any lease area to secure payment of unpaid royalty and other amounts due. (b) By acceptance of a lease, the lessee grants to the state an express contractual lien on and security interest in all oil and gas in and extracted from the area covered by the lease, all proceeds which may accrue to the lessee from the sale of the oil and gas, whether the proceeds are held by the lessee or another person, and all fixtures on and improvements to the area covered by the lease used in connection with the production or processing of the oil and gas, to secure the payment of royalties and other amounts due or to become due under the lease or this subchapter and to secure payment of damages or loss that the state may suffer by reason of the lessee's breach of a covenant or condition of the lease, whether express or implied. (c) The statutory and contractual liens and security interests described in this section may be foreclosed with or without court proceedings in the manner provided under Chapter 9, Business & Commerce Code. The state may require the lessee to execute and record instruments reasonably necessary to acknowledge, attach, or perfect the liens. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2456, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.