Tenn. Code Ann. § 60-1-602: Purpose

(a) The general assembly finds that the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves must coexist with the equal right to the use, agricultural or otherwise, of the surface of land within this state.

(b) It is the purpose of this part to provide constitutionally permissible protection and compensation to surface owners of land on which oil and gas wells are drilled for the burden resulting from such drilling operations. This part shall be interpreted to benefit surface owners regardless of when any particular oil and gas estate was separated from the surface estate and regardless of who executed that document.