New Mexico Statutes Chapter 19. Public Lands § 19-13-5. Leases; applications; limitations

A. Leases may be issued by the commissioner according to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Geothermal Resources Act which the commissioner determines to be in the best interest of the state.

B. An application for a lease on state lands shall not be made for less than six hundred forty acres nor more than two thousand five hundred sixty acres and shall embrace a reasonably compact area. A lease on state lands may only be issued for a parcel less than six hundred forty acres if the parcel is isolated from or not contiguous with other parcels of land available for a lease. The commissioner may provide for compensatory agreements on those parcels of state lands which he determines should be subjected to such an agreement rather than a lease. No person, association or corporation, except as otherwise provided in the Geothermal Resources Act, shall take, hold, own or control at one time whether acquired directly from the commissioner or otherwise, any direct or indirect interests in state geothermal leases exceeding fifty-one thousand two hundred acres.

C. The commissioner shall issue a lease to the first qualified applicant under regulations adopted by the commissioner.