19-10-5: Existing leases; stipulation.

A. The owners of any oil and gas lease issued by the commissioner of public lands before the effective date of this section, other than a five year lease, and maintained in good standing according to the terms and conditions thereof and all applicable statutes and regulations, may, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the commissioner, enter into a stipulation making the terms and conditions of the lease form prescribed by Section 19-10-4.1 NMSA 1978, a part of any such existing lease, the same as if the lease form had been the original; provided, however, that no such stipulation shall be effective or binding on any of the parties until each and every working interest owner and record owner of the original lease or approved assignment thereof has signed the stipulation.

B. The owners of any five year oil and gas lease issued by the commissioner of public lands before the effective date of this section and maintained in good standing according to the terms and conditions thereof and all applicable statutes and regulations, may, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the commissioner, enter into a stipulation making the terms and conditions of the lease form prescribed by Section 19-10-4.2 NMSA 1978 a part of any such existing lease, the same as if the lease form had been the original; provided, however, that no such stipulation shall be effective or binding on any of the parties until each and every working interest owner and record owner of the original lease or approved assignment has signed the stipulation.