1. A. The holder of any lease may at any time relinquish all his rights under the lease by filing a written relinquishment of all rights under the lease with the commissioner. The relinquishment shall be effective as of the date of its filing, subject to the continued obligation of the person, in accordance with the terms of the lease and any regulations:

   1. (1) to make payment of all accrued rentals and royalties;
   2. (2) to place all wells on the lands to be relinquished in condition for suspension or abandonment; and
   3. (3) to protect or restore the surface and surface resources.
2. B. Upon compliance with this section, the person holding the lease shall be released of all obligations thereafter accruing under the lease with respect to the lands relinquished, but no such relinquishment shall release such person from any liability for breach of any obligation of the lease, other than an obligation to drill, accrued at the date of relinquishment.

History: 1953 Comp., § 7-15-8, enacted by Laws 1967, ch. 158, § 8.

ANNOTATIONS

Cross references. — For relinquishment of lease of state lands, see 19-7-36 NMSA 1978.

For relinquishment of mineral lands lease, see 19-8-26 NMSA 1978.