A quiet movement is underway in Texas to reform the state’s mineral laws. The proposed reform would force owners to “pool” their resources. Pooling is
the joining together or a combination of small tracts or portions of tracts for the purpose of having sufficient acreage to receive a well drilling permit under the relevant state spacing laws and regulations, and for the purpose of sharing production by interest owners in such a pooled unit.
Some claim that pooling is best for the industry. Economist Ray Perryman recently said,
Pooling could reduce the number of wells drilled to access reserves, decreasing water use and the environmental implications of drilling.
Perhaps the most important benefit would be that it could reduce the cost to drill, thereby improving the economics of wells and enhancing development aspects.
In other words, since some people think that pooling is good, they believe that they are justified in forcing the practice upon everyone. After all, it’s for their own good.
Pooling is widely practiced in Texas, but it is voluntary. As with an activity that is voluntary, sometimes property owners don’t want to go along with a pooling proposal. Rather than accept this fact, some individuals believe that they should force their ideals upon others. What they can’t achieve through persuasion they will seek to achieve through government coercion.