MS HB238

Mineral estates separated from surface estates revert to the surface owner after 20 years of nonproduction or no bona fide drilling attempt.

The 20-year nonproduction period may run continuously or be interrupted; it restarts the day after the last actual production or drilling operation ends.

For shut-in rental payment contracts, the 20-year period restarts at the end of the period covered by the last rental payment if no production occurs.

Oil and gas are deemed not in production if wells are not located in the regular governmental quarter-quarter section (oil) or one-half section (gas) where the mineral interest lies.

Mineral interests satisfying the 20-year nonproduction requirement on July 1, 2018 immediately revert to the current surface estate owner.