STATE LAND LAWS 

 OIL LEASE. SECS. 193-194 



Since sec. 18&, supra, restricts each locator to a claim not exceeding 80 

 acres in area, it is improper to issue a contract for a greater area to one 

 holding several leases by assignment, although there is nothing to prevent the 

 issuance of separate contracts to the assignee of several leases : Opinion Att'y 

 Gen'l, Aug. 22, '13. 



Failure of the contract-holder to diligently and in good faith mine the 

 lands covered by his contract warrants a forfeiture of his rights thereunder : 

 idem. 



SEC. 193. SAME ROYALTY. 



The terms and conditions on which the same may be mined shall 

 be agreed upon by the Commissioner of Public Lands and the 

 lessee : Provided, "That a royalty be paid to the state on the 

 value of the gross output to an amount not less than two per 

 cent, thereof and not more than five per cent, thereof; said 

 royalty to be paid according to the provisions made in said 

 lease." (Laws '97, p. 294, sec. 7; amended, Laws '01, p. 314, 

 sec. 3; sec. 6788 Rem.-Bal. ; 477 sec. 285 Pierce.) 



Cited: 31 Wash. 494. 



CHAPTER 18. 



LEASING OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS LANDS. 



SEC. 194. Leases Authorized for Oil and Gas Mining. 



195. Application; Limit of Area. 



196. Same; How Made. 



197. Rental, Royalty and Term. 



198. Reports and Accounting; Forfeiture. 



199. Operation Required. 



200. Damages to Existing Leasehold. 



SEC. 194. LEASES AUTHORIZED FOR OIL AND GAS MINING. 



The Commissioner of Public Lands of the State of Washing- 

 ton is hereby authorized to execute leases and contracts for the 

 mining and extraction of petroleum and natural gas from any 

 land belonging to the state or from any lands in which the state 

 may hereafter acquire title, subject to the conditions hereinafter 

 provided. (Laws '01, p. 218, sec. 1; sec. 6791 Rem.-Bal.; 477 



sec. 257 Pierce.) 



Mineral leases: sec. 180 et seq., supra. 



Leases generally: sec. 128 et seq., supra. 



Except as to lands already under agricultural lease, the Commissioner of 

 Public Lands is without discretion to grant or deny a lease to a qualified 

 applicant under this chapter. Opinion Att'y Gen'l, Feb. 15, '13. 



