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shall deliver up said lands or such portion or portions
thereof in good order and condition. [Emphasis added.]
Language in paragraph 20 of the DL-1 Leases--pertaining
generally to due diligence and to prevention of waste in the
conduct of activities at Prudhoe Bay--does contain specific
reference to Exxon’s (and to the other oil companies’)
obligations to plug wells upon termination of oil production at
the well sites. That language also makes general reference to
Alaska regulations “relating to the matters covered by this
paragraph” (namely, to due diligence and to waste). The language
of paragraph 20, however, provides neither a description of DRR
work that Exxon is or will be obligated to perform on leased
property not associated with well sites nor specific reference to
any Alaska regulations pertaining to broader fieldwide DRR
obligations of the oil companies. Paragraph 20 provides, in
part, as follows:
DILIGENCE; PREVENTION OF WASTE. * * * [Exxon]
* * * shall plug securely in an approved manner any
well before abandoning it; * * * and shall abide by and
conform to valid applicable rules and regulations
of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and
the regulations of * * * [Alaska] relating to the
matters covered by this paragraph in effect on the
effective date hereof or hereafter in effect if not
inconsistent with any specific provisions of this
lease. [Emphasis added.]
Language in paragraph 31 of the DL-1 Leases provides for
assignment of the leases, or of undivided interests in the
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