# 30 U.S.C. § 187b: Oil or gas leases; written relinquishment of rights; release of obligations

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s187b

## Section

- **Citation:** 30 U.S.C. § 187b
- **Heading:** Oil or gas leases; written relinquishment of rights; release of obligations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 30—MINERAL LANDS AND MINING > CHAPTER 3A—LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS > SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

## Text

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in section 187 of this title , a lessee may at any time make and file in the appropriate land office a written relinquishment of all rights under any oil or gas lease issued under the authority of this chapter or of any legal subdivision of the area included within any such lease. Such relinquishment shall be effective as of the date of its filing, subject to the continued obligation of the lessee and his surety to make payment of all accrued rentals and royalties and to place all wells on the lands to be relinquished in condition for suspension or abandonment in accordance with the applicable lease terms and regulations; thereupon the lessee shall be released of all obligations thereafter accruing under said lease with respect to the lands relinquished, but no such relinquishment shall release such lessee, or his bond, from any liability for breach of any obligation of the lease, other than an obligation to drill, accrued at the date of the relinquishment.

( Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, § 30B , formerly § 30b, as added Aug. 8, 1946, ch. 916, § 8 , 60 Stat. 956 ; renumbered § 30B, Pub. L. 100–203, title V, § 5103 , Dec. 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 1330–258 .)

## Nearby sections

- [30 U.S.C. § 181 Lands subject to disposition; persons entitled to benefits; reciprocal privileges; helium rights reserved](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s181.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 182 Lands disposed of with reservation of deposits of coal, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s182.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 183 Cancellation of prospecting permits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s183.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 184 Limitations on leases held, owned or controlled by persons, associations or corporations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s184.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 184a Authorization of States to include in agreements for conservation of oil and gas resources lands acquired from United States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s184a.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 185 Rights-of-way for pipelines through Federal lands](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s185.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 186 Reservation of easements or rights-of-way for working purposes; reservation of right to dispose of surface of lands; determination before offering of lease; easement periods](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s186.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 187 Assignment or subletting of leases; relinquishment of rights under leases; conditions in leases for protection of diverse interests in operation of mines, wells, etc.; State laws not impaired](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s187.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 187a Oil or gas leases; partial assignments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s187a.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 187b Oil or gas leases; written relinquishment of rights; release of obligations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s187b.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 188 Failure to comply with provisions of lease](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s188.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 188a Surrender of leases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s188a.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 189 Rules and regulations; boundary lines; State rights unaffected; taxation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s189.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 190 Oath; requirement; form; blanks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s190.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s187b. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.