Louisiana § RS 31:191 - When oil and gas wells and lignite operations considered open mines

§ RS 31:191. When oil and gas wells and lignite operations considered open mines

A.  As applied to oil and gas, the principle stated in Article 190 means that if at the time a usufruct is created minerals are being produced from the land or other land unitized therewith, or if there is present on the land or other land unitized therewith, a well shown by surface production test to be capable of producing in paying quantities, the usufructuary is entitled to the use and enjoyment of the landowner's rights in minerals as to all pools penetrated by the well or wells in question.  

B.  As applied to lignite or another form of coal, the principle stated in Article 190 means that if at the time a usufruct is created the land has been included in a mining plan, the usufructuary is entitled to the use and enjoyment of the landowner's rights in minerals as to all seams proposed to be developed in the mining plan provided the following requirements are satisfied:

(1)  Lignite or another form of coal has been discovered as a result of acts committed on the land or due to acts providing a reasonable basis of proof of the discovery of the mineral.  

(2)  A mining plan for the ultimate production of lignite or other forms of coal, together with a permit issued by the responsible government official, is filed in the conveyance records of the parish or parishes in which the land is located.  

(3)  Actual mining operations have begun on land included in the plan, although such operations need not be conducted on the land subject to the usufruct.  

Acts 1974, No. 50, §191, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1982, No. 780, §1.