If any land which is affected by a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners pursuant to the provisions of section 38-09-07 and subject to delinquent tax charges or tax charges which have been adjusted by contract is forfeited to the county under tax proceedings by a tax deed sufficient to constitute color of title in the county to such lands, the oil and gas lease affected by the resolution becomes and remains binding upon the county and its grantees and upon the lessee and the lessee's assigns and successors in interest with like force and effect as though the county had become a party to such lease as of the date of the tax deed to the county.
38-09-09. Payment of bonuses, rents, royalties on lands subject to taxes - Crediting amount paid to county. The lessee, or the lessee's assigns and successors in interest, may pay all bonuses, rentals, and royalties due under any oil and gas lease on lands subject to delinquent taxes or to taxes adjusted by contract, to the lessor, or the lessor's assigns or successors in interest, until such time as a tax deed describing such land is executed and delivered to the county. Upon the execution and delivery of a tax deed sufficient to constitute color of title in the county and upon the confirmation, approval, and adoption of the oil and gas lease by the county either with or without additional provisions, the lessee shall pay all rentals and royalties to the county as long as the county continues to hold the land. The amounts received by the county as bonuses, rentals, or royalties must be credited upon the tax charges against the property.
38-09-10. Payment of bonuses, rents, and royalties after termination of county's interest in lands. All bonuses, rents, and royalties becoming due and payable to any county under any provision of this chapter under an oil and gas lease must be paid to the lessor, or to the lessor's assigns or successors in interest, in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of the original lease, if: 1. The land described in the lease is redeemed or the title of the county is obtained by the lessor or the lessor's assigns from the county and such redemption or transfer from the county is made a matter of record in the office of the recorder of the county in which the land is situated; 2. The title or color of title of the county in and to the lands described in the lease is set aside or declared void by the final decree of a court having jurisdiction of such matter; and 3. Notice in either event is given to the lessee or to the lessee's assigns or successors in interest by registered or certified mail directed to such lessee, or to the lessee's assigns or successors in interest, at the address appearing in the office of the recorder of the county in which the land is situated.
38-09-11. Board of county commissioners may demise or let lands for drilling or mining purposes. Real and personal property which a county may have acquired through purchase or forfeiture or by operation of law may be demised, leased, or let by the board of county commissioners for the purpose of:
1. Mining thereon; 2. Operating thereon for gas and oil; 3. Laying pipelines thereon; or 4. Establishing and maintaining thereon tanks, power stations, and structures for the production, saving, sale, or caring for the mine product, gas, or oil.