The provisions of the Surface Owners Protection Act apply to all oil and gas operations commenced on or after July 1, 2007 except:

1. A. maintenance and ongoing production activities related to an oil or gas well producing or capable of producing oil or gas on June 30, 2007 for which the operator has a valid permit from the oil conservation division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, provided that:

   1. (1) reentries, workovers and other oil or gas operations are subject to that act if the activities disturb additional surface; and
   2. (2) the duty to reclaim, as stated in Subsection C of Section 3[4] [70-12-4 NMSA 1978] of that act, is applicable to such a well that is not plugged and abandoned on July 1, 2007; and
2. B. oil and gas operations conducted within the scope of an agreement, entered into prior to July 1, 2007, between a surface owner and an operator that sets forth the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to surface activities conducted by the operator.

History: Laws 2007, ch. 5, § 10.

ANNOTATIONS

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law. The reference to Subsection C of Section 3 appears to be erroneous. The reference should be to Subsection C of Section 4, compiled as 70-12-4 NMSA 1978.

Effective dates. — Laws 2007, ch. 5, § 11 made the act effective July 1, 2007.