MS HB253

Mineral estates separated from surface estates after January 1, 2021, revert to the surface estate owner after ten years of nonproduction.

The ten-year nonproduction period can be interrupted and restarted if drilling or production activities occur, or if shut-in rental payments are made; after the last rental payment, the period restarts if no production follows.

Oil wells must be located on the same quarter-quarter section and gas wells on the same half section as the severed mineral interest to be considered in production; wells outside these areas do not count as production.

If the ten-year period restarts with fewer than 180 days remaining, it extends to at least 180 days from the restart date.

The act takes effect July 1, 2020.