256.68—Effect of assignment of a particular tract.
(a)
When an assignment is made of all the record title to a portion of the acreage in a lease, the assigned and retained portions become segregated into separate and distinct leases. In such a case, the assignee becomes a lessee of the Government as to the segregated tract that is the subject of assignment, and is bound by the terms of the lease as though the lease had been obtained from the United States in the assignee's own name, and the assignment, after its approval, shall be the basis of a new record. Royalty, minimum royalty and rental provisions of the original lease shall apply separately to each segregated portion.
(b)
For assignments of a portion of an oil and gas lease approved after the effective date of ths section, each segregated lease shall continue in full force and effect for the primary term of the original lease and so long thereafter as oil or gas is produced from that segregated portion of the leased area in paying quantities or drillng or well reworking operations as approved by the Secretary are conducted.
(c)
For those assignments approved prior to the effective date of this section, each segregated lease shall continue in full force and effect for the primary term of the original lease and so long thereafter as oil and gas may be produced from the original leased area in paying quantities or drilling or well reworking operations, as approved by the Secretary, are conducted.