46-4-59. Effect of abandonment of reservoir by gas utility; evidence of abandonment; approval of abandonment by commission.

When a gas utility which has exercised the power of eminent domain pursuant to Code Section 46-4-57 permanently abandons the entire underground reservoir for the storage of gas, the condemned property shall revert to the then owners of the land, the mineral rights, royalties, and other interests relating to the property in proportion to their several ownership interests. Good faith exploration or development work relative to a proposed or approved underground gas storage project shall be conclusive evidence that such project has not been abandoned. No gas utility shall abandon an underground reservoir for the storage of gas without first receiving an order of the commission approving such abandonment.