Montana Code Annotated
Part 4. Oil and Gas
77-3-425. Dry hole clause

77-3-425. Dry hole clause. If the first well drilled is a dry hole and if a second well is not commenced on the land covered by the lease before the next anniversary of the lease following the completion of the well, the lease may be terminated by the board unless the lessee, on or before such anniversary, resumes payment of any delay drilling penalties imposed by the board. Upon the resumption of payment of any required delay drilling penalties and their continued payment, the lease continues in force during the primary term as though there had been no interruption in the delay drilling penalty payments.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 161, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 251, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 86, Ch. 428, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 81-1702.2(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 163, L. 1989.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 77. State Lands

Chapter 3. Rock, Mineral, Coal, Oil, and Gas Resources

Part 4. Oil and Gas

77-3-401. Oil and gas leases authorized

77-3-402. Rules

77-3-403. Hearings on questions related to leases

77-3-404. Limitation on area under single lease

77-3-405. Leased lands to be generally compact and contiguous

77-3-406. Number of leases which one person may hold

77-3-407. New leases on lands leased prior to February 28, 1953

77-3-408. Certain state officers not to be interested in leases

77-3-409. Misconduct of officers in relation to oil and gas leases

77-3-410. False statements relating to oil and gas leases

77-3-411. Notice of lease sale required

77-3-412. through 77-3-420 reserved

77-3-421. Duration of lease

77-3-422. Lease extension clause

77-3-423. Annual rental

77-3-424. Power to terminate lease in absence of commencement of drilling or payment of delay drilling penalty

77-3-425. Dry hole clause

77-3-426. Lessee to prevent waste

77-3-427. Provision for offset wells -- compensatory royalties

77-3-428. Additional development following completion of productive well

77-3-429. Operating agreements

77-3-430. Pooling agreements and unit operations

77-3-431. Report of lessees

77-3-432. Royalty

77-3-433. Shut-in gas royalty

77-3-434. Manner of making royalty payment

77-3-435. Payments due to state -- audit -- notice -- action

77-3-436. Disposition of royalties and other money

77-3-437. Amendment of existing leases

77-3-438. Assignments of leases

77-3-439. Surrender of leases

77-3-440. Forfeiture and cancellation of leases

77-3-441. Restriction on new lease following termination of old lease

77-3-442. Disposition of property of lessee upon termination of lease

77-3-443. Reservation in lease for disposition of surface

77-3-444. Limitation on overriding royalties and payments out of production

77-3-445. through 77-3-450 reserved

77-3-451. Limitation on public inspection rights