Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a petroleum company to drill without the consent of all property owners.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a petroleum company to drill in a “horizontal well unit” on landowner property, provided, but not limited to, provided that certain conditions are met, including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The petroleum company gains consent from landowners that own at least 80 percent of the net acreage included in the “horizontal well unit;” and 
• The petroleum company has made a “good faith” offer to gain consent and negotiate compensation with all landowners. 
• Defines “horizontal well unit” as an area designated for the allocation of production of oil and gas from one or more horizontal wells drilled in the unit, pending the required landowner approval and with royalties paid to the unit’s landowners (Sec. 1). 
• Requires a landowner that does not consent to oil or natural gas drilling on their property to take a certain action, including the following actions (Sec. 1):
• To participate in the drilling on a limited basis;
• To surrender a portion or all of the interest to participating land owners on a “reasonable” basis, which, if not agreed upon, will be determined by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; or
• To enter into a farm out, sublease, or other contract to permit drilling on terms and conditions, which, if not agreed upon, will be determined by the commission. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a petroleum company to drill without the consent of all property owners.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a petroleum company to drill in a “horizontal well unit” on landowner property, provided, but not limited to, provided that certain conditions are met, including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The petroleum company gains consent from landowners that own at least 80 percent of the net acreage included in the “horizontal well unit;” and 
• The petroleum company has made a “good faith” offer to gain consent and negotiate compensation with all landowners. 
• Defines “horizontal well unit” as an area designated for the allocation of production of oil and gas from one or more horizontal wells drilled in the unit, pending the required landowner approval and with royalties paid to the unit’s landowners (Sec. 1). 
• Requires a landowner that does not consent to oil or natural gas drilling on their property to take a certain action, including the following actions (Sec. 1):
• To participate in the drilling on a limited basis;
• To surrender a portion or all of the interest to participating land owners on a “reasonable” basis, which, if not agreed upon, will be determined by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; or
• To enter into a farm out, sublease, or other contract to permit drilling on terms and conditions, which, if not agreed upon, will be determined by the commission. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a petroleum company to drill without the consent of all property owners.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a petroleum company to drill in a “horizontal well unit” on landowner property, provided, but not limited to, provided that certain conditions are met, including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The petroleum company gains consent from landowners that own at least 80 percent of the net acreage included in the “horizontal well unit;” and 
• The petroleum company has made a “good faith” offer to gain consent and negotiate compensation with all landowners. 
• Defines “horizontal well unit” as an area designated for the allocation of production of oil and gas from one or more horizontal wells drilled in the unit, pending the required landowner approval and with royalties paid to the unit’s landowners (Sec. 1). 
• Requires a landowner that does not consent to oil or natural gas drilling on their property to take a certain action, including the following actions (Sec. 1):
• To participate in the drilling on a limited basis;
• To surrender a portion or all of the interest to participating land owners on a “reasonable” basis, which, if not agreed upon, will be determined by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; or
• To enter into a farm out, sublease, or other contract to permit drilling on terms and conditions, which, if not agreed upon, will be determined by the commission. 

Full Bill Text