MS HB555

Mineral estates that have been separated from surface estates will automatically revert to the surface estate owner after 20 years of nonproduction or no bona fide attempt to drill for or produce minerals

The 20-year nonproduction period can be interrupted by actual production or drilling operations, with the clock restarting after activity ceases; shut-in rental payments can also interrupt the period

If the 20-year period is interrupted with less than 180 days remaining, the period extends to at least 180 days from the restart date

Oil production only counts if the well is on the same quarter-quarter section as the severed mineral estate; gas production only counts if the well is in the same half-section as the mineral interest

Any mineral estates already separated for 20+ years without production as of July 1, 2021, would immediately revert to the current surface estate owner