30 CFR § 556.601 - How may I maintain my oil and gas lease beyond the primary term?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t30/s556.601"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "30 CFR § 556.601 - How may I maintain my oil and gas lease beyond the primary term?"
title_number: 30
title_name: "Mineral Resources"
section_number: "556.601"
section_name: "How may I maintain my oil and gas lease beyond the primary term?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "OFFSHORE"
part_number: "556"
part_name: "LEASING OF SULFUR OR OIL AND GAS AND FINANCIAL ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 6213; 43 U.S.C. 1334."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 18152, Mar. 30, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "556"
---


# 556.601 How may I maintain my oil and gas lease beyond the primary term?

You may maintain your oil and gas lease beyond the expiration of the primary term as long as:

(a) You are producing oil or gas in paying quantities;

(b) You are conducting approved drilling or well reworking operations with the objective of establishing production in paying quantities, in accordance with 30 CFR 250.180;

(c) You are producing from, or drilling or reworking, an approved well adjacent to or adjoining your lease that extends directionally into your lease in accordance with 30 CFR 256.71;

(d) You make compensatory payments on your lease in accordance with 30 CFR 256.72;

(e) Your lease is included in a BSEE-approved unit, in accordance with 30 CFR part 250, subpart M; or

(f) Your lease is subject to a suspension of production or a suspension of operations, in accordance with 30 CFR 250.168 through 250.180, for reasons other than gross negligence or a willful violation of a provision of your lease or any governing regulations.