§9-17-136. Liability of owners and operators.

Whenever costs of plugging a coalbed methane gas well shall have been incurred by the board pursuant to this article and the board shall have authorized the expenditure of moneys from the fund pursuant to Section 9-17-135 for the purpose of plugging a coalbed methane gas well, the operator thereof and each and every owner of a working interest in the well bore of such well shall be jointly and severally liable to the state for repayment of the amount of such moneys, and the board is authorized to institute appropriate civil actions in the courts in the name of the state to recover such amounts. Any amounts so recovered shall be paid into the fund. Further, nothing in this article shall be construed to relieve any operator or owner of a working interest in the well bore of any coalbed methane gas well of any liability to any third party for damages incurred because of failure to plug any coalbed methane gas well.

(Acts 1990, No. 90-635, p. 1164, §7.)