Title 30 — Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-73not60

§103 Patents for Oil or Gas Lands Not Denied Because of Transfer Before Discovery of Oil or Gas; Acreage Limitation; Nonapplication to Withdraw Lands

Title 30 › Chapter 3— LANDS CONTAINING COAL, OIL, GAS, SALTS, ASPHALTIC MATERIALS, SODIUM, SULPHUR, AND BUILDING STONE › Subchapter III— PETROLEUM, OTHER MINERAL OIL, OR GAS LAND ENTRIES UNDER MINING LAWS › § 103

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Patents must not be denied for oil- or gas-bearing lands claimed under U.S. mining laws before March 2, 1911, just because the original claimant transferred any interest to qualified persons or a corporation before oil or gas was discovered. If the claim is otherwise valid, a patent up to 160 acres will issue, unless the land was withdrawn from mineral entry when development began.

Full Legal Text

Title 30, §103

Mineral Lands and Mining — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In no case shall patent be denied to or for any lands located or claimed prior to March 2, 1911, under the mining laws of the United States containing petroleum, mineral oil, or gas solely because of any transfer or assignment thereof or of any interest or interests therein by the original locator or locators, or any of them, to any qualified persons or person or corporation, prior to discovery of oil or gas therein, but if such claim is in all other respects valid and regular, patent therefor not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres in any one claim shall issue to the holder or holders thereof, as in other cases. The above provisions shall not apply where such lands were at the time of inception of development on or under such claim withdrawn from mineral entry.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

30 U.S.C. § 103

Title 30 — Mineral Lands and Mining

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60