§ 15-72-203 - Prerequisite to exploring or drilling -- Notice to surface owner. - Arkansas Statutes

15-72-203. Prerequisite to exploring or drilling -- Notice to surface owner.

(a) Before entering upon a site for the purpose of exploration or for oil or gas drilling, except in instances where there are nonresident surface owners, nonresident surface tenants, unknown heirs, imperfect titles, or surface owners or surface tenants whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained with reasonable diligence, the operator shall give to the surface owner written notice of his or her intent of exploration or undertaking drilling operations on premises owned by the surface owner. The notice shall contain the proposed location and the approximate date that the operator proposes to commence exploration or drilling operations.

(b) The notice shall be given in writing by certified United States mail, or personally, to the surface owner at the address of the surface owner as is reflected in the records of the tax collector of the county in which the lands are located.