It is an agreement between the owners of the mineral estate (or mineral interests) and a producer or operator. In exchange for compensation specified in the lease, the lessee is given the right to search for, develop, and produce the oil and gas or minerals. Commonly, the industry states that the lessee “works” or “operates” the interest leased because he performs the work. The lease can encompass the right to work all the minerals or only those specified in the lease (e.g., limited to oil and gas).
Source: TAR
