Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in , a lessee may at any time make and file in the appropriate land office a written relinquishment of all rights under any oil or gas lease issued under the authority of this chapter or of any legal subdivision of the area included within any such lease. Such relinquishment shall be effective as of the date of its filing, subject to the continued obligation of the lessee and his surety to make payment of all accrued rentals and royalties and to place all wells on the lands to be relinquished in condition for suspension or abandonment in accordance with the applicable lease terms and regulations; thereupon the lessee shall be released of all obligations thereafter accruing under said lease with respect to the lands relinquished, but no such relinquishment shall release such lessee, or his bond, from any liability for breach of any obligation of the lease, other than an obligation to drill, accrued at the date of the relinquishment.
Structure US Code
Title 30— MINERAL LANDS AND MINING
CHAPTER 3A— LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS
SUBCHAPTER I— GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 182. Lands disposed of with reservation of deposits of coal, etc.
§ 183. Cancellation of prospecting permits
§ 184. Limitations on leases held, owned or controlled by persons, associations or corporations
§ 185. Rights-of-way for pipelines through Federal lands
§ 187a. Oil or gas leases; partial assignments
§ 187b. Oil or gas leases; written relinquishment of rights; release of obligations
§ 188. Failure to comply with provisions of lease
§ 189. Rules and regulations; boundary lines; State rights unaffected; taxation
§ 190. Oath; requirement; form; blanks
§ 191. Disposition of moneys received
§ 191a. Late payment charges under Federal mineral leases
§ 191b. Collection of unpaid and underpaid royalties and late payment interest owed by lessees
§ 192. Payment of royalties in oil or gas; sale of such oil or gas
§ 192a. Cancellation or modification of contracts
§ 192b. Application to contracts
§ 192c. Rules and regulations governing issuance of certain leases; disposition of receipts