How to Acquire an Operating Agreement

The basic procedures for acquiring an Operating Agreement on State acreage are set forth below.

Should you have any questions, please contact Charles Bradbury at (225) 342-9199, charlesb@dnr.state.la.us, or Rick Heck at (225) 342-6122, rickh@dnr.state.la.us.

Basic Procedures

1. Review La. R.S. 30:209(4)(a) to determine if your situation fits the general criteria to qualify for an operating agreement.

2. Discuss your situation with Charles Bradbury or Rick Heck to confirm that your situation may qualify for an operating agreement.

3. Submit preliminary information (Data required prior to meeting [Download:]) to Charles Bradbury.

4. Call Sherry Ballard (225-342-4560) or Jackie Johnson (225-342-4619) to schedule a meeting with the staff.

5. Meet with the staff to present your proposal and submit additional information (Data required on day of meeting [Download:]).

6. After the meeting, if the staff has indicated it will recommend an operating agreement in your case, you must send a letter to Rick Heck requesting to have this matter placed on the Legal and Title Committee Agenda at the next State Mineral Board Meeting. If the Mineral Board concurs with the staff, it will authorize taking the affected property out of commerce and grant authority to the staff to negotiate an operating agreement.

7. The staff will conduct a technical study and provide you with the terms of the operating agreement.

8. If you agree with the terms of the operating agreement, the document must be prepared, signed, and advertised prior to final approval by the State Mineral Board.

Forms related to this page...

Operating Agreements: Data Required Operating Agreements: Agreement Form

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