When used herein, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(1) "Board" means the board of land commissioners of the state of Montana;

(2) "Department" means department of natural resources and conservation;

(3) "Director" means director of natural resources and conservation, chief administrative officer of the department of natural resources and conservation;

(4) "Lessee" means the person in whose name an oil and gas lease appears of record in the offices of the department, whether such person be the original lessee or a subsequent assignee. The term "lessee" also includes, where the context of the rule may indicate, any person who is the apparent successful bidder for an oil and gas lease but with whom a formal oil and gas lease agreement has not been completed and finalized;

(5) "Oil and gas" means all hydrocarbons and other substances and elements which are present in the earth in a gaseous or liquid form and produced therefrom. It shall not include coal, lignite, oil shale or similar solid hydrocarbons. Nor shall it include minerals, waters, steam or any geothermal resource produced pursuant to a geothermal resources lease issued by the state;

(6) "Person" means any individual, person, firm, association or corporation or other legal entity;

(7) "Qualified applicant" means any person who may become a qualified lessee as set forth under ARM 36.25.204;

(8) "State" means the state of Montana;

(9) "State lands" means all lands the leasing of which for oil and gas is under the jurisdiction of the board;

(10) "Standard lease form" means the lease then currently in use and approved by the board.

History: 77-3-402, MCA; NEW, Eff. 12/5/75; TRANS, 1996 MAR p. 2384.