§ 187b. — Oil or gas leases; written relinquishment of rights; release of obligations.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 30USC187b]
TITLE 30--MINERAL LANDS AND MINING
CHAPTER 3A--LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS
SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 187b. Oil or gas leases; written relinquishment of rights;
release of obligations
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in section 187 of this
title, a lessee may at any time make and file in the appropriate land
office a written relinquishment of all rights under any oil or gas lease
issued under the authority of this chapter or of any legal subdivision
of the area included within any such lease. Such relinquishment shall be
effective as of the date of its filing, subject to the continued
obligation of the lessee and his surety to make payment of all accrued
rentals and royalties and to place all wells on the lands to be
relinquished in condition for suspension or abandonment in accordance
with the applicable lease terms and regulations; thereupon the lessee
shall be released of all obligations thereafter accruing under said
lease with respect to the lands relinquished, but no such relinquishment
shall release such lessee, or his bond, from any liability for breach of
any obligation of the lease, other than an obligation to drill, accrued
at the date of the relinquishment.
(Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, Sec. 30B, formerly Sec. 30b, as added Aug. 8,
1946, ch. 916, Sec. 8, 60 Stat. 956; renumbered Sec. 30B, Pub. L. 100-
203, title V, Sec. 5103, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330-258.)
Savings Provision
See note set out under section 181 of this title.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in title 10 sections 7421, 7435.
