SPECIAL ARTICLES.

Detailed technical reports on special subjects, the result of research work or extended field investigations, will continue to be issued as separate bulletins by the Bureau, as has been the custom in the past.

Shorter and less elaborate technical papers and articles by members of the staff and others are published in each number of 'Mining in California,'

It is anticipated that these special articles will cover a wide range of subjects both of historical and current interest; descriptions of new processes, or metallurgical and industrial plants, new mineral occurrences, and interesting geological formations, as well as articles intended to supply practical and timely information on the problems of the prospector and miner, such as the text of new laws and official regulations and notices affecting the mineral industry.

OIL AND GAS RIGHTS.

By A. H. RICKETTS, of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, of California and of Nevada.

Copyright, 1924, by A. H. Ricketts.

PART I.

ADJUDICATED TERMS AND PHRASES.

§1. As Long as Gas or Oil is Found in Paying Quantities.

The term, "as long as gas or oil is found in paying quantities" means, not merely that those minerals shall be found in paying quantities, but also that either oil or gas shall actually be discovered and produced in paying quantities within the term named in the lease, and if neither oil nor gas is being produced at the end of the term of years named in the lease, the lease ends.1

§2. Casing Line.

A casing line is a large, strong rope used in oil-well drilling to raise and lower the casing.2

§3. Commencing Operations.

To commence operations is the performance of some act which has a tendency to produce an intended result."

§4. Completed Well.

The term "completed" as used in a lease means finished or sunk to the depth necessary to find oil or gas in paying quantities, or to such a depth as in the absence of such oil or gas would reasonably preclude the probability of finding oil or gas at a further depth. It can not be construed to mean that the lessee bound himself, under penalty of for

Union Co. vs. Adkins, 278 Fed. 854.

Long vs. Foley, 82 W. Va. 502, 96 S. E. 794.

Flemming Co. vs. South Penn Co., 37 W. Va. 645; 17 S. E. 203; Terry vs. Texas Co., Tex. C. A., 228 S. W. 1019; Duffield vs. Russell, 13 Ohio C. C. 266; see Henderson vs. Ferrell, 183 Pa. St. 547, 38 Atl. 1018; and see Henning vs. Wichita Co., 100 Kan. 255, 164 Pac. 297.