(a) Leases issued before August 8, 2005, are subject to this part and 43 CFR part 3280, except that such leases are subject to the BLM regulations in effect on August 8, 2005 (43 CFR parts 3200 and 3280 (2004)), with regard to regulatory provisions relating to royalties, minimum royalties, rentals, primary term and lease extensions, diligence and annual work requirements, and renewals.

(b) The lessee of a lease issued before August 8, 2005, may elect to be subject to all of the regulations in this part and 43 CFR part 3280, without regard to the exceptions in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Such an election must occur no later than December 1, 2008. Any such election as it pertains to lease terms relating to royalty rates must be made under the royalty rate conversion provisions of subpart 3212 of this part. A lessee must obtain a royalty conversion under subpart 3212 to make an election under this paragraph effective.

[90 FR 33304, July 17, 2025]