(a) The operator may have a lien on all of the property owned by each owner within the unit area to secure the payment of his or her proportionate part of the expenses of unit operation.
(b) The lien may be established by filing an affidavit with the circuit clerk of the county in which the property involved or any part thereof is located. This affidavit shall set forth an itemized statement of the amount due and the interest of the owner in the unit and may be enforced in the manner as now provided for the enforcement of laborers' liens.