Energy Resources

SB 1150 amends Texas law to address inactive oil and gas wells regulated by the Railroad Commission. It requires operators to plug wells inactive for over 15 years (or 25 years since completion) unless approved for an exception or included in a commission-approved compliance plan. Key provisions include new criteria for compliance plans - such as financial assurance, operator history, and environmental risks - and mandate an annual report starting in 2026 detailing well counts, plugging progress, financial methods, and operational status. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators with inactive wells, requiring them to submit compliance plans or face penalties for non-compliance.

SB 1146 allows mineral estate owners, surface owners, or operators in good standing to contract with Railroad Commission-approved well pluggers to plug or replug inactive oil and gas wells without current operators (so-called "orphaned wells"). The bill requires contractors to send 30-day notice to the well's operator or surface owner before work begins and mandates compliance with Commission rules. Crucially, it clarifies that paying for plugging does not create liability for future plugging obligations, and evidence of such payments cannot be used against the payer in legal disputes about well responsibility. This law, effective September 1, 2025, provides a clear legal pathway for voluntary well plugging while protecting parties from unintended legal exposure.

SB 2122 establishes new application fees for permits related to oil and gas waste disposal in Texas. It requires $200 for fluid injection well permits, $500 for landfarm/landtreatment/land application permits, $2,000 for commercial waste separation facility permits, and $3,000 for commercial surface waste facility permits. These nonrefundable fees apply to applications filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting companies or individuals seeking to store, treat, or dispose of oil and gas waste. The bill does not change waste disposal regulations but modifies the fee structure for permit applications and amendments.

SB 1759 establishes a process for the Railroad Commission of Texas to declare an oil or gas emergency (such as an uncontrolled release of oil, gas, or produced water from a well) through a written proclamation that describes the emergency and affected area. The commission can initially declare an emergency for up to 30 days, with renewals for additional 30-day or 60-day periods as needed to protect public health and safety. It also shields individuals and organizations from lawsuits if they provide assistance, advice, or resources (including personnel or equipment) during a declared emergency, provided the help is given at the request of a government agency and without gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This law directly affects emergency responders and resource-providing entities by reducing legal barriers to rapid response during oil and gas incidents.

Texas Senate Bill 290 requires applicants for large stationary LP-gas installations (with an aggregate water capacity of 10,000 gallons or more) to mail written notice to all property owners within 500 feet of the proposed site. The notice must be sent via registered/certified mail with proof of delivery, and applicants must retain records of this proof. This applies only to applications filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate effect). The bill directly affects property owners near proposed installations by mandating advance notification of such projects.