43 CFR §3281.14
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)The unit agreement must, at a minimum:
- (1)State who the unit operator is, and that the unit operator and participating lessees accept the unit terms and obligations set forth in the agreement and applicable BLM regulations;
- (2)State the size and general location of the unit area;
- (3)Include procedures for revising the unit area or participating area(s);
- (4)Include procedures for amending the unit agreement;
- (5)State the effective date and term of the unit, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section;
- (6)Incorporate the minimum initial unit obligations, as specified in § 3281.15;
- (7)State that BLM may require a modification of the rate of resource exploration or development, or the production quantity or rate, within the unit area;
- (8)State that the agreement is subject to periodic BLM review;
- (9)State that BLM will deem the unit agreement as void as if it were never in effect if the minimum initial unit obligations are not met;
- (10)Include a plan of development; and
- (11)Include a unit contraction provision.
- (b)The unit agreement must provide that it terminates 5 years after its effective date unless:
- (1)BLM extends such date of expiration;
- (2)Unitized substances are produced or utilized in commercial quantities in which event the agreement continues for so long as unitized substances are produced or utilized in commercial quantities; or
- (3)BLM terminates the agreement under subpart 3285 of this part before the end of the 5 year period.
- (c)The agreement may include any other provisions or terms that BLM and the unit operator agree are necessary for proper resource exploration and development, and management of the unit area.