Texas Natural Resources Code - NAT RES § 89.001. Policy

The conservation and development of all the natural resources of this state are declared to be a public right and duty.  It is also declared that the protection of water and land of the state against pollution or the escape of oil or gas is in the public interest.  In the exercise of the police power of the state, it is necessary and desirable to provide additional means so that wells that are drilled for the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas, or as injection or salt water disposal wells, and that have been abandoned and are leaking salt water, oil, gas, or other deleterious substances into freshwater formations or on the surface of the land, may be plugged, replugged, or repaired by or under the authority and direction of the commission.