No lease for lands on which there is a well capable of producing oil or gas in paying quantities shall expire because the lessee fails to produce the same, unless the lessee fails to place the lease in production within a period of not less than 60 days as specified by the authorized officer after receipt of notice by certified mail from the authorized officer to do so. Such production shall be continued unless and until suspension of production is granted by the authorized officer.

[48 FR 33662, July 22, 1983, as amended at 53 FR 22840, June 17, 1988; 53 FR 31958, Aug. 22, 1988]