§ 27-554 — Designation of known geological structures of producing oil and gas fields

A. The department shall from time to time determine and designate the known geological structures of producing oil and gas fields. The determinations and designations shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the state, the last publication to be not less than five days from the first date of publication. The determinations and designations shall become effective from the date of first publication. Until such a determination and designation is made by the department, all state lands shall be deemed located not within any known geological structure of a producing oil and gas field.

B. The department may refuse to lease any state lands for oil and gas when the lands are being used by the state or any state department for a state purpose.