6851-6855
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 6851-6855
6851. Lands owned by the State, or lands in which the oil and gas deposits are reserved to the State, other than tide and submerged lands, may be leased for the production of oil and gas in accordance with the provisions of this article and of this chapter in so far as not in conflict with the provisions of this article. 6852. Whenever it appears to the commission that it is for the best interests of the State to lease any such lands for the production of oil or gas therefrom, or whenever a person who possesses the qualifications provided in this chapter makes written request therefor, the commission may offer the same for bidding at such times and in such parcels as the commission shall determine to be in the best interests of the State. 6853. The commission may divide the lands within the tract proposed to be leased into parcels of convenient size and shape and shall prepare a form of lease therefor. 6854. Lands, including the Tule Elk State Reserve located in Township 30 South, Range 24 East, MDB&M in Kern County, other than tide or submerged lands, belonging to the state and dedicated to a public use may be leased by the commission for the production of oil and gas in accordance with this article and this chapter insofar as not in conflict with this article. Where those lands have been acquired for the use of a specific state agency, consent of this agency shall be obtained by the commission for occupation by a state lessee of the surface of the lands for drilling locations or producing facilities. The commission may lease those lands, including the Tule Elk State Reserve in Kern County, for the production of oil and gas without the consent of the state agency if development under the lease is made by slant drilling from surface locations on lands not under the control of the state agency. However, the commission shall consult with the Department of Parks and Recreation prior to approving a lease for the production of oil and gas underlying the Tule Elk State Reserve to ensure that the purposes for which the parklands were acquired are not adversely affected. The commission may grant a subsurface oil and gas lease in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 6815 covering all or any portion of the Tule Elk State Reserve in Kern County for the production of oil and gas underlying the reserve by means of slant or directional drilling from surface locations outside of the reserve. 6855. The proceeds of any lease for the extraction of any oil and gas from lands owned by the State, other than public lands or tide or submerged lands under the jurisdiction of the commission, property escheated to the State or held in trust, lands held by the State as tax-deeded property and lands acquired for state highway purposes, shall be paid into the General Fund in the State Treasury, regardless of whether such lease is executed pursuant to this chapter or any other provision of law.