A North Dakota Subsurface Underground Gas Storage Lease and Agreement (From a Surface Owner, With No Right to Use the Surface of the Lands being Granted) is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions under which a surface owner grants the right to use the subsurface of their land for underground gas storage purposes without interfering with the surface use rights. This type of lease is commonly used in North Dakota to allow gas storage companies or operators to access and utilize underground storage facilities within private lands, while maintaining the surface owner's rights and preventing any disruption to their surface activities. It establishes a clear understanding between the surface owner and the gas storage operator to ensure both parties are protected and their interests are respected. Some relevant keywords associated with the North Dakota Subsurface Underground Gas Storage Lease and Agreement might include: 1. Surface owner rights: The lease agreement emphasizes that the surface owner retains all surface use rights, including agricultural, recreational, or residential activities. It ensures that the gas storage operations will not interfere with these rights. 2. Subsurface rights: The agreement grants the gas storage operator the exclusive right to access and use the subsurface of the land for gas storage purposes. This includes drilling, constructing and maintaining necessary infrastructure. 3. Compensation: The lease agreement includes provisions for compensation to the surface owner for the use of their subsurface rights. This can involve upfront payments, annual royalties, or other agreed-upon financial arrangements. 4. Liability and indemnification: The agreement defines the liabilities of both parties and specifies that the gas storage operator assumes responsibility for any damage caused to the surface owner's property or person resulting from the gas storage operations. Indemnification clauses protect the surface owner from potential legal actions. 5. Environmental protection: The lease agreement may include provisions to ensure that the gas storage operations comply with environmental regulations and take necessary precautions to minimize any adverse environmental impacts, such as groundwater contamination or soil degradation. 6. Term and termination: The agreement specifies the lease term, which can range from several years to decades, and outlines conditions under which either party may terminate the agreement early, such as breach of contract or changes in land use regulations. Different types of North Dakota Subsurface Underground Gas Storage Lease and Agreement (From a Surface Owner, With No Right to Use the Surface of the Lands being Granted) may exist based on variations in specific terms and conditions, such as lease duration, payment structure, or access restrictions. However, the fundamental objective remains the same — to provide a legal framework for the surface owner and gas storage operator to coexist harmoniously while utilizing the subsurface for gas storage purposes.