Pub. Resources Code, § 6832

For the purpose of more properly conserving the natural resources of any oil or gas pool or field, or any part thereof, lessees hereunder and their representatives may unite with each other jointly or separately, or jointly or separately with others owning or operating lands not belonging to the State, including lands belonging to the United States, in collectively adopting and operating under a cooperative or unit plan of development or operation of the pool or field, or any part thereof, whenever it is determined by the commission to be necessary or advisable in the public interest. The commission may, with the consent of the holders of leases involved, establish, alter, change, and revoke any drilling and production requirements of such leases, permit apportionment of production and may make such regulations with reference to such leases, with like consent on the part of such lessees, in connection with the institution and operation of any such co-operative or unit plan, as the commission deems necessary or proper to secure the proper protection of the interests of the State.