As Amended
SEC. 53-3-11. Notice of drilling of wells; permits; surety or cash bond for nonresident; secretary of state as agent for non-resident for service of process; limitation of action for damages.
(1) Any person desiring or proposing to drill any well in search of oil or gas, before commencing the drilling of any such well, shall notify the oil and gas supervisor upon such form as the board may prescribe. The drilling of any well for oil or gas is hereby prohibited until such notice is given and a permit therefor is issued.
(2)
(a) Before any nonresident not qualified to do business in this state is issued a permit pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, such nonresident shall file with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by him, a surety or cash bond in a sum of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or in a greater amount if so approved by the secretary of state, conditioned that such sum be paid to the State of Mississippi for the benefit of all persons interested, their legal representatives, attorneys or assigns, in the event the operator of such well shall fail to reasonably restore the land and improvements of the surface estate as a result of mineral exploration and/or production, or in the event the operator shall fail to properly plug a dry or abandoned well in the manner prescribed by the rules of the board. Such bond shall be executed by the operator listed in the drilling permit and, in case of a surety bond, by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the State of Mississippi. Such bond shall cover all subsequent drilling permits issued to such nonresident operator and shall be for a term co-extensive with the terms of the permits.
(b) The secretary of state is hereby designated as the agent upon whom process may be served in any action against such nonresident operator to recover damages to the surface estate arising from mineral exploration and/or production. Any such action for damages shall be commenced within six (6) years next after the closing of the well.
(3) The drilling of any well, which is not in accordance with a spacing pattern fixed by the board, is hereby prohibited until and unless a permit is issued by the board after notice and hearing.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 6132-29; Laws, 1948, ch. 256, Sec. 16; 1983, ch. 439, eff from and after July 1, 1983.