A unit agreement may use the following language:
Unit Agreement for the Development and Operation of the ______ Unit Area, County of ______, State of ______.
Table of Contents
Article I -Enabling Act and Regulations
Article II -Definitions
Article III -Unit Area and Exhibits
Article IV -Contraction and Expansion of Unit Area
Article V -Unitized Land and Unitized Substances
Article VI -Unit Operator
Article VII -Resignation or Removal of Unit Operator
Article VIII -Successor Unit Operator
Article IX -Accounting Provisions and Unit Operating Agreement
Article X -Rights and Obligations of Unit Operator
Article XI -Plan of Development
Article XII -Participating Areas
Article XIII -Allocation of Unitized Substances
Article XIV -Relinquishment of Leases
Article XV -Rentals
Article XVI -Operations on Nonparticipating Land
Article XVII -Leases and Contracts Conformed and Extended
Article XVIII -Effective Date and Term
Article XIX -Appearances
Article XX -No Waiver of Certain Rights
Article XXI -Unavoidable Delay
Article XXII -Postponement of Obligations
Article XXIII -Nondiscrimination
Article XXIV -Counterparts
Article XXV -Subsequent Joinder
Article XXVI -Covenants Run With the Land
Article XXVII -Notices
Article XXVIII -Loss of Title
Article XXIX -Taxes
Article XXX -Relation of Parties
Article XXXI -Special Federal Lease Stipulations and/or Conditions
This Agreement entered into as of the ______ day of ______, 20 ______, by and between the parties subscribing, ratifying, or consenting hereto, and herein referred to as the "parties hereto". Whereas the parties hereto are the owners of working, royalty, or other geothermal resources interests in land subject to this Agreement; and
Whereas the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1566), as amended, hereinafter referred to as the "Act" authorizes Federal lessees and their representatives to unite with each other, or jointly or separately with others, in collectively adopting and operating under a unit agreement for the purpose of more properly conserving the natural resources of any geothermal resources reservoir, field, or like area, or any part thereof, whenever determined and certified by the Secretary of the Interior to be necessary or advisable in the public interest; and
Whereas the parties hereto hold sufficient interest in the ______ Unit Area covering the land herein described to effectively control operations therein; and
Whereas, it is the purpose of the parties hereto to conserve natural resources, prevent waste, and secure other benefits obtainable through development and operations of the area subject to this Agreement under the terms, conditions, and limitations herein set forth;
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and the promises herein contained, the parties hereto commit to this agreement their respective interests in the below-defined Unit Area, and agree severally among themselves as follows:
Article I -Enabling Act and Regulations1.1 The Act and all valid pertinent U.S. Department of the Interior regulations, including operating and unit plan regulations, heretofore or hereafter issued thereunder are accepted and made a part of this agreement as to Federal lands.1.2 As to non-Federal lands, the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") geothermal resources operating regulations in effect as of the effective date hereof governing drilling and producing operations, not inconsistent with the laws of the State in which the non-Federal land is located, are hereby accepted and made a part of this agreement.Article II -Definitions 2.1 The following terms shall have the meanings here indicated:(a)Geothermal Lease. A lease issued under the act of December 24, 1970 (84 Stat. 1566), as amended, pursuant to the leasing regulations contained in 43 CFR Group 3200 and, unless the context indicates otherwise, "lease" shall mean a geothermal lease.(b)Unit Area. The area described in Article III of this Agreement.(c)Unit Operator. The person, association, partnership, corporation, or other business entity designated under this Agreement to conduct operations on Unitized Land as specified herein.(d)Participating Area. That area of the Unit deemed to be productive as described in Article 12.1 herein and areas committed to the Unit by the Authorized Officer needed for support of operations of the Unit Area. The production allocated for lands used for support of operations shall be approved by the Authorized Officer pursuant to Articles 12.1 and 13.1 herein.(e)Working Interest. The interest held in geothermal resources or in lands containing the same by virtue of a lease, operating agreement, fee title, or otherwise, under which, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the owner of such interest is vested with the right to explore for, develop, produce and utilize such resources. The right delegated to the Unit Operator as such by this Agreement is not to be regarded as a Working Interest.(f)Secretary. The Secretary of the Interior or any person duly authorized to exercise powers vested in that officer.(g)Director. The Director of the Bureau of Land Management or any person duly authorized to exercise powers vested in that officer.(h)Authorized Officer. Any person authorized by law or by lawful delegation of authority in the Bureau of Land Management to perform the duties described.Article III -Unit Area and Exhibits3.1 The area specified on the map attached hereto marked "Exhibit A" is hereby designated and recognized as constituting the Unit Area, containing ______ acres, more or less. The above-described Unit Area shall be expanded, when practicable, to include therein any additional lands or shall be contracted to exclude lands whenever such expansion or contraction is deemed to be necessary or advisable to conform with the purposes of this Agreement.3.2 Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof is a map showing the boundary of the Unit Area, the boundaries and identity of tracts and leases in said area to the extent known to the Unit Operator.3.3 Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part thereof is a schedule showing to the extent known to the Unit Operator the acreage, percentage, and kind of ownership of geothermal resources interests in all lands in the Unit Area.3.4 Exhibits A and B shall be revised by the Unit Operator whenever changes in the Unit Area render such revision necessary, or when requested by the authorized officer, and not less than five copies of the revised Exhibits shall be filed with the authorized officer.Article IV -Contraction and Expansion of Unit Area4.1 Unless otherwise specified herein, the expansion and/or contraction of the Unit Area contemplated in Article 3.1 hereof shall be effected in the following manner: (a) The Unit Operator, either on demand of the authorized officer or on its own motion and after prior concurrence by the authorized officer, shall prepare a notice of proposed expansion or contraction describing the contemplated changes in the boundaries of the Unit Area, the reasons therefore, and the proposed effective date thereof, preferably the first day of a month subsequent to the date of notice.(b) Said notice shall be delivered to the authorized officer, and copies thereof mailed to the last known address of each Working Interest Owner, Lessee, and Lessor whose interests are affected, advising that 30 days will be allowed to submit any objections to the Unit Operator.(c) Upon expiration of the 30-day period provided in the preceding item 4.1(b), Unit Operator shall file with the authorized officer evidence of mailing of the notice of expansion or contraction and a copy of any objections thereto that have been filed with the Unit Operator, together with an application in sufficient number, for approval of such expansion or contraction and with appropriate joinders.(d) After due consideration of all pertinent information, the expansion or contraction shall, upon approval by the authorized officer, become effective as of the date prescribed in the notice thereof.4.2 Unitized Leases, insofar as they cover any lands excluded from the Unit Area under any of the provisions of this Article IV, may be maintained and continued in force and effect in accordance with the terms, provisions, and conditions contained in the Act, and the lease or leases and amendments thereto, except that operations and/or production under this Unit Agreement shall not serve to maintain or continue the excluded portion of any lease.4.3 All legal subdivisions of unitized lands (i.e., 40 acres by Governmental survey or its nearest lot or tract equivalent in instances of irregular surveys), no part of which is entitled to be within a Participating Area on the 5th anniversary of the effective date of the initial Participating Area established under this Agreement, shall be eliminated automatically from this Agreement effective as of said 5th anniversary. Such lands shall no longer be a part of the Unit Area and shall no longer be subject to this Agreement, unless diligent drilling operations are in progress on an exploratory well on said 5th anniversary, in which event such lands shall not be eliminated from the Unit Area for as long as exploratory drilling operations are continued diligently with not more than six (6) months time elapsing between the completion of one exploratory well and the commencement of the next exploratory well.4.4 An exploratory well, for the purposes of this Article IV, is defined as any well, regardless of surface location, projected for completion:(a) In a zone or deposit below any zone or deposit for which a Participating Area has been established and is in effect; or(b) At a subsurface location under Unitized Lands not entitled to be within a Participating Area.4.5 In the event an exploratory well is completed during the six (6) months immediately preceding the 5th anniversary of the initial Participating Area established under this Agreement, lands not entitled to be within a Participating Area shall not be eliminated from this Agreement on said 5th anniversary, provided the drilling of another exploratory well is commenced under an approved Plan of Development within six (6) months after the completion of said well. In such event, the land not entitled to be in participation shall not be eliminated from the Unit Area so long as exploratory drilling operations are continued diligently with not more than six (6) months time elapsing between the completion of one exploratory well and the commencement of the next exploratory well.4.6 With prior approval of the authorized officer, a specified period of time in excess of six (6) months may be allowed to elapse between the completion of one well and the commencement of the next well without the automatic elimination of nonparticipating acreage.4.7 Unitized lands proved productive by drilling operations that serve to delay automatic elimination of lands under this Article IV shall be incorporated into a Participating Area (or Areas) in the same manner as such lands would have been incorporated in such areas had such lands been proven productive during the year preceding said 5th anniversary.4.8 In the event nonparticipating lands are retained under this Agreement after the 5th anniversary of the initial Participating Area as a result of exploratory drilling operations, all legal subdivisions of unitized land (i.e., 40 acres by Government survey or its nearest lot or tract equivalent in instances of irregular Surveys), no part of which is entitled to be within a Participating Area, shall be eliminated automatically as of the 183rd day, or such later date as may be established by the authorized officer, following the completion of the last well recognized as delaying such automatic elimination beyond the 5th anniversary of the initial Participating Area established under this Agreement.Article V -Unitized Land and Unitized Substances5.1 All land committed to this Agreement shall constitute land referred to herein as "Unitized Land." All geothermal resources in and produced from any and all formations of the Unitized Land are unitized under the terms of this agreement and herein are called "Unitized Substances."Article VI -Unit Operator 6.1 ______ is hereby designated as Unit Operator, and by signature hereto as Unit Operator agrees and consents to accept the duties and obligations of Unit Operator for the discovery, development, production, distribution, and utilization of Unitized Substances as herein provided. Whenever reference is made herein to the Unit Operator, such reference means the Unit Operator acting in that capacity and not as an owner of interest in Unitized Substances, and the term "Working Interest Owner," when used herein, shall include or refer to Unit Operator as the owner of a Working Interest when such an interest is owned by it.Article VII -Resignation or Removal of Unit Operator7.1 The Unit Operator shall have the right to resign. Such resignation shall not become effective so as to release Unit Operator from the duties and obligations of Unit Operator or terminate Unit Operators rights, as such, for a period of six (6) months after notice of its intention to resign has been served by Unit Operator on all Working Interest Owners and the authorized officer, nor until all wells then drilled hereunder are placed in a satisfactory condition for suspension or abandonment, whichever is required by the authorized officer, unless a new Unit Operator shall have been selected and approved and shall have taken over and assumed the duties and obligations of Unit Operator prior to the expiration of said period.7.2 The Unit Operator may, upon default or failure in the performance of its duties or obligations hereunder, be subject to removal by the same percentage vote of the owners of Working Interests as herein provided for the selection of a new Unit Operator. Such removal shall be effective upon notice thereof to the authorized officer.7.3 The resignation or removal of Unit Operator under this Agreement shall not terminate its right, title, or interest as the owner of a Working Interest or other interest in Unitized Substances, but upon the resignation or removal of Unit Operator becoming effective, such Unit Operator shall deliver possession of all wells, equipment, material, and appurtenances used in conducting the unit operations to the new duly qualified successor Unit Operator or, if no such new unit operator is elected, to the common agent appointed to represent the Working Interest Owners in any action taken hereunder, to be used for the purpose of conducting operations hereunder.7.4 In all instances of resignation or removal, until a successor Unit Operator is selected and approved as hereinafter provided, the Working Interest Owners shall be jointly responsible for performance of the duties and obligations of Unit Operator, and shall not later than 30 days before such resignation or removal becomes effective appoint a common agent to represent them in any action to be taken hereunder.7.5 The resignation or removal of Unit Operator shall not release Unit Operator from any liability for any default by it hereunder occurring prior to the effective date of its resignation or removal.Article VIII -Successor Unit Operator8.1 If, prior to the establishment of a Participating Area hereunder, the Unit Operator shall resign as Operator, or shall be removed as provided in Article VII, a successor Unit Operator may be selected by vote of the more than one-half of the owners of the Working Interests in Unitized Substances, based on their respective shares, on an acreage basis, in the Unitized Land.8.2 If, after the establishment of a Participating Area hereunder, the Unit Operator shall resign as Unit Operator, or shall be removed as provided in Article VII, a successor Unit Operator may be selected by a vote of more than one-half of the owners of the Working Interests in Unitized Substances, based on their respective shares, on a participating acreage basis; provided that, if a majority but less than 60 percent of the Working Interest in the Participating Lands is owned by a party to this agreement, a concurring vote of one or more additional Working Interest Owners owning 10 percent or more of the Working Interest in the participating land shall be required to select a new Unit Operator.8.3 The selection of a successor Unit Operator shall not become effective until:(a) The Unit Operator so selected shall accept in writing the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of the Unit Operator; and(b) The selection shall have been approved by the authorized officer.8.4 If no successor Unit Operator is selected and qualified as herein provided, the authorized officer at his or her election may declare this Agreement terminated.Article IX -Accounting Provisions and Unit Operating Agreement9.1 Costs and expenses incurred by Unit Operator in conducting unit operations hereunder shall be paid and apportioned among and borne by the owners of Working Interests; all in accordance with the agreement or agreements entered into by and between the Unit Operator and the owners of Working Interests, whether one or more, separately or collectively.9.2 Any agreement or agreements entered into between the Working Interest Owners and the Unit Operator as provided in this Article, whether one or more, are herein referred to as the "Unit Operating Agreement."9.3 The Unit Operating Agreement shall provide the manner in which the Working Interest Owners shall be entitled to receive their respective share of the benefits accruing hereto in conformity with their underlying operating agreements, leases, or other contracts, and such other rights and obligations, as between Unit Operator and the Working Interest Owners.9.4 Neither the Unit Operating Agreement nor any amendment thereto shall be deemed either to modify any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or to relieve the Unit Operator of any right or obligation established under this Agreement.9.5 In case of any inconsistency or conflict between this Agreement and the Unit Operating Agreement, this Agreement shall govern.9.6 Three true copies of any Unit Operating Agreement executed pursuant to this Article IX shall be filed with the authorized officer prior to approval of this Agreement.Article X -Rights and Obligations of Unit Operator10.1 The right, privilege, and duty of exercising any and all rights of the parties hereto that are necessary or convenient for exploring, producing, distributing, or utilizing Unitized Substances are hereby delegated to and shall be exercised by the Unit Operator as provided in this Agreement in accordance with a Plan of Development approved by the authorized officer.10.2 Upon request by Unit Operator, acceptable evidence of title to geothermal resources interests in the Unitized Land shall be deposited with the Unit Operator and together with this Agreement shall constitute and define the rights, privileges, and obligations of Unit Operator.10.3 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to transfer title to any land or to any lease or operating agreement, it being understood that the Unit Operator, in its capacity as Unit Operator, shall exercise the rights of possession and use vested in the parties hereto only for the purposes specified in this Agreement.10.4 The Unit Operator shall take such measures as the authorized officer deems appropriate and adequate to prevent drainage of Unitized Substances from Unitized Land by wells on land not subject to this Agreement.10.5 The authorized officer is hereby vested with authority to alter or modify, from time to time, in the authorized officer's discretion, the rate of prospecting and development and the quantity and rate of production under this Agreement.Article XI -Plan of Development 11.1 Concurrently with the submission of this Agreement to BLM for approval, the Unit Operator shall submit to BLM an acceptable initial Plan of Development. Said plan shall be as complete and adequate as the authorized officer may determine to be necessary for timely exploration and/or development, and to insure proper protection of the environment and conservation of the natural resources of the Unit Area.11.2 Prior to the expiration of the initial Plan of Development, or any subsequent Plan of Development, Unit Operator shall submit for approval of the authorized officer an acceptable subsequent Plan of Development for the Unit Area which, when approved by the authorized officer, shall constitute the exploratory and/or development drilling and operating obligations of Unit Operator under this Agreement for the period specified therein.11.3 Any Plan of Development submitted hereunder shall: (a) Specify the number and locations of any exploration operations to be conducted or wells to be drilled, and the proposed order and time for such operations or drilling; and(b) To the extent practicable, specify the operating practices regarded as necessary and advisable for proper conservation of natural resources and protection of the environment in compliance with section 1.1 of this Agreement.11.4 The Plan of Development submitted concurrently with this Agreement for approval shall prescribe that the Unit Operator shall begin to drill a unit well identified in the Plan of Development approved by the authorized officer, unless on such effective date a well is being drilled conformably with the terms hereof, and thereafter continue such drilling diligently until the ______ formation has been tested or until at a lesser depth unitized substances shall be discovered that can be produced in commercial quantities (i.e., quantities sufficient to repay the costs of drilling, completing, and producing operations, with a reasonable profit) or the Unit Operator shall at any time establish to the satisfaction of the authorized officer that further drilling of said well would be unwarranted or impracticable; provided, however, that the Unit Operator shall not in any event be required to drill said well to a depth in excess of ______ feet.11.5 The initial Plan of Development and/or subsequent Plan of Development submitted under this Article shall provide that the Unit Operator shall initiate a continuous drilling program providing for drilling of no less than one well at a time, and allowing no more than six (6) months time to elapse between completion and testing of one well and the beginning of the next well, until a well capable of producing or utilizing Unitized Substances in commercial quantities is completed to the satisfaction of the authorized officer, or until it is reasonably proven that the Unitized Land is incapable of producing Unitized Substances in commercial quantities in the formations drilled under this Agreement.11.6 The authorized officer may modify the exploration operation or drilling requirements of the initial or subsequent Plans of Development by granting reasonable extensions of time when, in his or her opinion, such action is warranted and in the public interest.11.7 Until a well capable of producing or utilizing Unitized Substances in commercial quantities is completed, the failure of Unit Operator in a timely manner to conduct any exploration operations or drill any of the wells provided for in Plans of Development required under this Article XI or to submit a timely and acceptable subsequent Plan of Development, shall, after notice of default or notice of prospective default to Unit Operator by the authorized officer, and after failure of Unit Operator to remedy any actual default within a reasonable time (as determined by the authorized officer), result in automatic termination of this Agreement effective as of the date of the default, as determined by the authorized officer.11.8 Separate Plans of Development may be submitted for separate productive zones, subject to the approval of the authorized officer. Also subject to the approval of the authorized officer, Plans of Development shall be modified or supplemented when necessary to meet changes in conditions or to protect the interest of all parties to this Agreement.Article XII -Participating Areas12.1 Prior to the commencement of production of Unitized Substances, the Unit Operator shall submit for approval by the authorized officer a schedule (or schedules) of all land then regarded as reasonably proven to be productive from a pool or deposit discovered or developed; all lands in said schedule (or schedules), on approval of the authorized officer, will constitute a Participating Area (or Areas), effective as of the date production commences or the effective date of this Unit Agreement, whichever is later. Said schedule (or schedules) shall also set forth the percentage of Unitized Substances to be allocated, as herein provided, to each tract in the Participating Area (or Areas), and shall govern the allocation of production, commencing with the effective date of the Participating Area.12.2 A separate Participating Area shall be established for each separate pool or deposit of Unitized Substances or for any group thereof that is produced as a single pool or deposit, and any two or more Participating Areas so established may be combined into one, on approval of the authorized officer. The effective date of any Participating Area established after the commencement of actual production of Unitized Substances shall be the first of the month in which is obtained the knowledge or information on which the establishment of said Participating Area is based, unless a more appropriate effective date is proposed by the Unit Operator and approved by the authorized officer.12.3 Any Participating Area (or Areas) established under 12.1 or 12.2 above shall, subject to the approval of the authorized officer, be revised from time to time to:(a) Include additional land then regarded as reasonably proved to be productive from the pool or deposit for which the Participating Area was established;(b) Include lands necessary to unit operations;(c) Exclude land then regarded as reasonably proved not to be productive from the pool or deposit for which the Participating Area was established; or(d) Exclude land not necessary to unit operations; and(e) Revise the schedule (or schedules) of allocation percentages accordingly.12.4 Subject to the limitation cited in 12.1 hereof, the effective date of any revision of a Participating Area established under Articles 12.1 or 12.2 shall be the first of the month in which is obtained the knowledge or information on which such revision is predicated; provided, however, that a more appropriate effective date may be used if justified by the Unit Operator and approved by the authorized officer.12.5 No land shall be excluded from a Participating Area on account of depletion of the Unitized Substances, except that any Participating Area established under the provisions of this Article XII shall terminate automatically whenever all operations are abandoned in the pool or deposit for which the Participating Area was established.12.6 Nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring any retroactive adjustment for production obtained prior to the effective date of the revision of a Participating Area.Article XIII -Allocation of Unitized Substances 13.1 All Unitized Substances produced from a Participating Area established under this Agreement shall be deemed to be produced equally, on an acreage basis, from the several tracts of Unitized Land within the Participating Area established for such production.13.2 For the purpose of determining any benefits accruing under this Agreement, each Tract of Unitized Land shall have allocated to it such percentage of said production as the number of acres in the Tract included in the Participating Area bears to the total number of acres of Unitized Land in said Participating Area.13.3 Allocation of production hereunder for purposes other than settlement of the royalty obligations of the respective Working Interest Owners shall be on the basis prescribed in the Unit Operating Agreement, whether in conformity with the basis of allocation set forth above or otherwise.13.4 The Unitized Substances produced from a Participating Area shall be allocated as provided herein, regardless of whether any wells are drilled on any particular part or tract of said Participating Area.Article XIV -Relinquishment of Leases 14.1 Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal leases and 43 CFR subpart 3213, a lessee of record shall, subject to the provisions of the Unit Operating Agreement, have the right to relinquish any of its interests in leases committed hereto, in whole or in part; provided, that no relinquishment shall be made of interests in land within a Participating Area without the prior approval of the authorized officer.14.2 A Working Interest Owner may exercise the right to surrender, when such right is vested in it by any non-Federal lease, sublease, or operating agreement, provided that each party who will or might acquire the Working Interest in such lease by such surrender or by forfeiture is bound by the terms of this Agreement, and further provided that no relinquishment shall be made of such land within a Participating Area without the prior written consent of the non-Federal Lessor.14.3 If, as the result of relinquishment, surrender, or forfeiture, the Working Interests become vested in the fee owner or lessor of the Unitized Substances, such owner may: (a) Accept those Working Interest rights and obligations subject to this Agreement and the Unit Operating Agreement, or(b) Lease the portion of such land as is included in a Participating Area established hereunder, subject to this Agreement and the Unit Operating Agreement, and provide for the independent operation of any part of such land that is not then included within a Participating Area established hereunder.14.4 If the fee owner or lessor of the Unitized Substances does not, (1) accept the Working Interest rights and obligations subject to this Agreement and the Unit Operating Agreement, or (2) lease such lands as provided in 14.3 above within six (6) months after the relinquished, surrendered, or forfeited Working Interest becomes vested in said fee owner or lessor, the Working Interest benefits and obligations accruing to such land under this Agreement and the Unit Operating Agreement shall be shared by the owners of the remaining unitized Working Interests in accordance with their respective Working Interest ownerships, and such owners of Working Interests shall compensate the fee owner or lessor of Unitized Substances in such lands by paying sums equal to the rentals, minimum royalties, and royalties applicable to such lands under the lease or leases in effect when the Working Interests were relinquished, surrendered, or forfeited.14.5 Subject to the provisions of 14.4 above, an appropriate accounting and settlement shall be made for all benefits accruing to or payments and expenditures made or incurred on behalf of any surrendered or forfeited Working Interest subsequent to the date of surrender or forfeiture, and payment of any moneys found to be owing by such an accounting shall be made as between the parties within thirty (30) days.14.6 In the event no Unit Operating Agreement is in existence and a mutually acceptable agreement cannot be consummated between the proper parties, the authorized officer may prescribe such reasonable and equitable conditions of agreement as he deems warranted under the circumstances.14.7 The exercise of any right vested in a Working Interest Owner to reassign such Working Interest to the party from whom it was obtained shall be subject to the same conditions as set forth in this Article XIV in regard to the exercise of a right to surrender.Article XV -Rentals15.1 ny unitized lease on non-Federal land containing provisions that would terminate such lease unless (1) drilling operations are commenced upon the land covered thereby within the time therein specified or (2) rentals are paid for the privilege of deferring such drilling operations, the rentals required thereby shall, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, be deemed to accrue as to the portion of the lease not included within a Participating Area and become payable during the term thereof as extended by this Agreement, and until the required drillings are commenced upon the land covered thereby.15.2 Nothing herein operates to relieve the lessees of any land from their respective lease obligations for the payment of any rental or royalty due under their leases.15.3 Rental and royalty due on the leases committed to the Unit shall be paid by Working Interest Owners responsible under existing contracts, laws, and regulations, or by the Unit Operator.Article XVI -Operations on Nonparticipating Land16.1 Any party hereto owning or controlling the Working Interest in any Unitized Land having a regular well location may, with the approval of the authorized officer and at such party's sole risk, costs, and expense, drill a well to test any formation of deposit for which a Participating Area has not been established or to test any formation or deposit for which a Participating Area has been established if such location is not within said Participating Area, unless within 30 days of receipt of notice from said party of his intention to drill the well, the Unit Operator elects and commences to drill such a well in like manner as other wells are drilled by the Unit Operator under this Agreement.16.2 If any well drilled by a Working Interest Owner other than the Unit Operator proves that the land upon which said well is situated may properly be included in a Participating Area, such Participating Area shall be established or enlarged as provided in this Agreement, and the well shall thereafter be operated by the Unit Operator in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Unit Operating Agreement.Article XVII -Leases and Contracts Conformed and Extended 17.1 The terms, conditions, and provisions of all leases, subleases, and other contracts relating to exploration, drilling, development, or utilization of geothermal resources on lands committed to this Agreement, are hereby expressly modified and amended only to the extent necessary to make the same conform to the provisions hereof. Otherwise said leases, subleases, and contracts shall remain in full force and effect.17.2 The parties hereto consent that the Secretary shall, by his or her approval hereof, modify and amend the Federal leases committed hereto to the extent necessary to conform said leases to the provisions of this Agreement.17.3 The development and/or operation of lands subject to this Agreement under the terms hereof shall be deemed full performance of any obligations for development and operation with respect to each and every separately owned tract subject to this Agreement, regardless of whether there is any development of any particular tract of the Unit Area.17.4 Drilling and/or producing operations performed hereunder upon any tract of Unitized Lands will be deemed to be performed upon and for the benefit of each and every tract of Unitized Land.17.5 Suspension of operations and/or production on all Unitized Lands pursuant to direction or consent of the Secretary or his duly authorized representative shall be deemed to constitute such suspension pursuant to such direction or consent as to each and every tract of Unitized Land. A suspension of operations and/or production limited to specified lands shall be applicable only to such lands.17.6 Subject to the provisions of Article XV hereof and 17.10 of this Article, each lease, sublease, or contract relating to the exploration, drilling, development, or utilization of geothermal resources of lands other than those of the United States committed to this Agreement, is hereby extended beyond any such term provided therein so that it shall be continued for and during the term of this Agreement.17.7 Subject to the lease renewal and the readjustment provision of the Act, any Federal lease committed hereto may, as to the Unitized Lands, be continued for the term so provided in such lease, or as extended by law or regulation. If it is appropriate for BLM to extend the term of a lease to match the term of the unit, the Unit Operator shall take the actions required for such extension under 43 CFR 3207.17 , This subsection shall not operate to extend any lease or portion thereof as to lands excluded from the Unit Area by the contraction thereof.17.8 Each sublease or contract relating to the operations and development of Unitized Substances from lands of the United States committed to this Agreement shall be continued in force and effect for and during the term of the underlying lease.17.9 Any Federal lease heretofore or hereafter committed to any such unit plan embracing lands that are in part within and in part outside of the area covered by any such plan shall be segregated into separate leases as to the lands committed and the lands not committed, as of the effective date of unitization.17.10 In the absence of any specific lease provision to the contrary, any lease, other than a Federal lease, having only a portion of its land committed hereto shall be segregated as to the portion committed and the portion not committed, and the provisions of such lease shall apply separately to such segregated portions, commencing as of the effective date hereof. In the event any such lease provides for a lump-sum rental payment, such payment shall be prorated between the portions so segregated in proportion to the acreage of the respective tracts.17.11 Upon termination of this Agreement, the leases covered hereby may be maintained and continued in force and effect in accordance with the terms, provisions, and conditions of the Act, the lease or leases, and amendments thereto.Article XVIII -Effective Date and Term 18.1 This Agreement shall become effective upon approval by the Secretary or his duly authorized representative, and shall terminate five (5) years from said effective date unless: (a) Such date of expiration is extended by the authorized officer;(b) Unitized Substances are produced or utilized in commercial quantities in which event this Agreement shall continue for so long as Unitized Substances are produced or utilized in commercial quantities; or(c) This Agreement is terminated prior to the end of said five (5) year period as heretofore provided.18.2 This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the owners of a majority of the Working Interests on an acreage basis, with the approval of the authorized officer. Notice of any such approval shall be given by the Unit Operator to all parties hereto.Article XIX -Appearances 19.1 Unit Operator shall, after notice to other parties affected, have the right to appear for and on behalf of any and all interests affected hereby before the Department of the Interior, and to appeal from decisions, orders or rulings issued under the regulations of said Department, or to apply for relief from any of said regulations or in any proceedings relative to operations before the Department of the Interior or any other legally constituted authority: Provided, however, that any interested parties shall also have the right, at their own expense, to be heard in any such proceeding.Article XX -No Waiver of Certain Rights 20.1 Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver by any party hereto of the right to assert any legal or constitutional right or defense pertaining to the validity or invalidity of any law of the State wherein lands subject to this Agreement are located, or of the United States, or regulations issued thereunder, in any way affecting such party, or as a waiver by any such party of any right beyond his or its authority to waive.Article XXI -Unavoidable Delay21.1 The obligations imposed by this Agreement requiring Unit Operator to commence or continue drilling or to produce or utilize Unitized Substances from any of the land covered by this Agreement, shall be suspended while, but only so long as, Unit Operator, despite the exercise of due care and diligence, is prevented from complying with such obligations, in whole or in part, by strikes, Acts of God, Federal or other applicable law, Federal or other authorized governmental agencies, unavoidable accidents, uncontrollable delays in transportation, inability to obtain necessary materials in open market, or other matters beyond the reasonable control of Unit Operator, whether similar to matters herein enumerated or not.21.2 No unit obligation that is suspended under this section shall become due less than thirty (30) days after it has been determined that the suspension is no longer applicable.21.3 Determination of creditable "Unavoidable Delay" time shall be made by the Unit Operator, subject to approval by the authorized officer.Article XXII -Postponement of Obligations 22.1 Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the Authorized officer, on his own initiative or upon appropriate justification by Unit Operator, may postpone any obligation established by and under this Agreement to commence or continue drilling or to operate on or produce Unitized Substances from lands covered by this Agreement when, in his judgment, circumstances warrant such action.Article XXIII -Nondiscrimination 23.1 In connection with the performance of work under this Agreement, the Operator agrees to comply with all of the provisions of section 202(1) to (7) inclusive, of Executive Order 11246 (30 FR 12319), as amended by Executive Order 11375 (32 FR 14303), which are hereby incorporated by reference in this Agreement.Article XXIV -Counterparts 24.1 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, no one of which needs to be executed by all parties, or may be ratified or consented to by separate instruments in writing specifically referring hereto, and shall be binding upon all parties who have executed such a counterpart, ratification, or consent hereto, with the same force and effect as if all such parties had signed the same document.Article XXV -Subsequent Joinder 25.1 If the owner of any substantial interest in geothermal resources under a tract within the Unit Area fails or refuses to subscribe or consent to this Agreement, the owner of the Working Interest in that tract may withdraw said tract from this Agreement by written notice delivered to the authorized officer and the Unit Operator prior to the approval of this Agreement by the authorized officer.25.2 Any geothermal resources interests in lands within the Unit Area not committed hereto prior to approval of this Agreement may thereafter be committed by the owner or owners thereof subscribing or consenting to this Agreement, and, if the interest is a Working Interest, by the owner of such interest also subscribing to the Unit Operating Agreement.25.3 After operations are commenced hereunder, the right of subsequent joinder, as provided in this Article XXV, by a Working Interest Owner is subject to such requirements or approvals, if any, pertaining to such joinder, as may be provided for in the Unit Operating Agreement. Joinder to the Unit Agreement by a Working Interest Owner at any time must be accompanied by appropriate joinder to the Unit Operating Agreement, if more than one committed Working Interest Owner is involved, in order for the interest to be regarded as committed to this Unit Agreement.25.4 After final approval hereof, joinder by a nonworking interest owner must be consented to in writing by the Working Interest Owner committed hereto and responsible for the payment of any benefits that may accrue hereunder in behalf of such nonworking interest. A nonworking interest may not be committed to this Agreement unless the corresponding Working Interest is committed hereto.25.5 Except as may otherwise herein be provided, subsequent joinders to this Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of the month following the filing with the authorized officer of duly executed counterparts of all or any papers necessary to establish effective commitment of any tract to this Agreement, unless objection to such joinder is duly made within sixty (60) days by the authorized officer.Article XXVI -Covenants Run With the Land26.1 The covenants herein shall be construed to be covenants running with the land with respect to the interest of the parties hereto and their successors in interest until this Agreement terminates, and any grant, transfer, or conveyance, of interest in land or leases subject hereto shall be and hereby is conditioned upon the assumption of all privileges and obligations hereunder by the grantee, transferee, or other successor in interest.26.2 No assignment or transfer of any Working Interest or other interest subject hereto shall be binding upon Unit Operator until the first day of the calendar month after Unit Operator is furnished with the original, photostatic, or certified copy of the instrument of transfer.Article XXVII -Notices 27.1 All notices, demands, or statements required hereunder to be given or rendered to the parties hereto shall be deemed fully given if given in writing and personally delivered to the party or sent by postpaid registered or certified mail, addressed to such party or parties at their respective addresses set forth in connection with the signatures hereto, or to the ratification or consent hereof, or to such other address as any such party may have furnished in writing to the party sending the notice, demand, or statement.Article XXVIII -Loss of Title 28.1 In the event title to any tract of Unitized Land shall fail and the true owner cannot be induced to join in this Agreement, such tract shall be automatically regarded as not committed hereto, and there shall be such readjustment of future costs and benefits as may be required on account of the loss of such title.28.2 In the event of a dispute as to title to any royalty, Working Interest, or other interests subject hereto, payment or delivery on account thereof may be withheld without liability for interest until the dispute is finally settled: Provided, That, as to Federal land or leases, no payments of funds due the United States shall be withheld, but such funds shall be deposited as directed by the authorized officer to be held as unearned money pending final settlement of the title dispute, and then applied as earned or returned in accordance with such final settlement.Article XXIX -Taxes 29.1 The Working Interest Owners shall render and pay for their accounts and the accounts of the owners of nonworking interests all valid taxes on or measured by the Unitized Substances in and under, or that may be produced, gathered, and sold or utilized from, the land subject to this Agreement after the effective date hereof.29.2 The Working Interest Owners on each tract may charge a proper proportion of the taxes paid under 29.1 hereof to the owners of nonworking interests in said tract, and may reduce the allocated share of each royalty owner for taxes so paid. No taxes shall be charged to the United States or the State of ______ or to any lessor who has a contract with his lessee which requires the lessee to pay such taxes.Article XXX -Relation of Parties 30.1 It is expressly agreed that the relation of the parties hereto is that of independent contractors, and nothing in this Agreement contained, expressed, or implied, nor any operations conducted hereunder, shall create or be deemed to have created a partnership or association between the parties hereto or any of them.Article XXXI -Special Federal Lease Stipulations and/or Conditions31.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall modify special lease stipulations and/or conditions applicable to lands of the United States. No modification of the conditions necessary to protect the lands or functions of lands under the jurisdiction of any Federal agency is authorized except with prior consent in writing whereby the authorizing official specifies the modification permitted.In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and have set opposite their respective names the date of execution.
Unit operator (as unit operator and as working interest owner):
By:
Name:
Title:
Date: