Sec. 6. (a) The commission may enter into written contracts designating a person as the permittee of the state with the exclusive right to prospect and explore not to exceed three (3) sections, or an equivalent area, of the public land for the occurrence of petroleum. A contract must contain the conditions prescribed by the rules adopted by the commission under this chapter. A permit must be for a period of not more than one (1) year in the discretion of the commission. A permit shall be granted without cost, except:
(1) as provided in section 16 of this chapter; and
(2) that, if more than one (1) application for a permit is received with respect to the same public land, the commission shall grant the permit to the person offering the highest cash bonus.
(b) A permittee may, under a contract:
(1) enter in and upon the land; and
(2) prospect and explore the land to determine the occurrence of petroleum.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-4-3-2.]
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.31.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources
Article 38. Other Petroleum Regulation
Chapter 1. Petroleum Exploration on State Property
14-38-1-1. "Commence to Drill a Well" Defined
14-38-1-3. "Petroleum" Defined
14-38-1-4. "Proven Territory" Defined
14-38-1-5. "Public Land" Defined
14-38-1-7. No Permits Issued for Proven Territory
14-38-1-8. Compensation of Landowners and State
14-38-1-9. Prosecution of Operations With Reasonable Diligence
14-38-1-10. Surrender of Permit
14-38-1-11. Permittee's Lease for Petroleum Extraction
14-38-1-12. Other Leases for Petroleum Extraction
14-38-1-14. Consideration for Leases
14-38-1-15. Cancellation of Permit or Lease
14-38-1-16. Issuance of New Permit Following Expiration or Forfeiture
14-38-1-17. Agreement for Production From Same Petroleum Field
14-38-1-18. Terms for Protection of Rights
14-38-1-20. Well Not to Be Drilled Within 330 Feet of Property Boundaries
14-38-1-21. Right-of-Way Grants
14-38-1-22. Development Considerations
14-38-1-24. Prospecting Permits or Leases