N.D. Cent. Code § 35-37-01: Definitions

As used in this chapter:

1."First purchaser" means the first person who purchases oil or gas from an interest owner at or after the time the oil or gas is severed.

2."Interest owner" means a person owning an entire or fractional interest of any kind or nature in the oil or gas at the time it is severed, or a person who has a right, either express or implied, to receive a monetary payment determined by the value of the oil or gas severed.

3."Operator" means a person engaged in the severance of oil or gas.

4."Purchaser" means a person who purchases oil or gas from a first purchaser.

5."Severed" means the taking, extraction, or production from the land of oil or gas in any manner.