§ 15-74-708 - Forfeiture of lease upon lessee receiving more than share from sale -- Purchaser to pay treble value.
15-74-708. Forfeiture of lease upon lessee receiving more than share from sale -- Purchaser to pay treble value.
(a) Any leaseholder or operator who contracts for the sale of gas or oil to any pipeline company or other purchaser, under and by virtue of the terms of which the lessee receives a greater amount than the royalty owners in proportion to interest therein, or receives a bonus, or by any other means conspires with a purchaser to receive from the sale of the oil and gas more than his or her just proportionate share therefrom shall forfeit his or her rights in and to the leasehold premises.
(b) Any pipeline company or other purchaser of oil and gas who contracts with any lessee as set out in subsection (a) of this section to the injury of the royalty owners shall forfeit to the royalty owners treble value of the amount of oil or gas runs thus wrongfully taken from the royalty interest.