---
title: "Review a joint operating agreement or farmout against a federal lease"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/energy-resources-and-mining/draft-or-redline-a-joint-operating-agreement-or-farmout/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A13-T1-R6-US"
practice_area: "Energy, Resources & Mining"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Review a joint operating agreement or farmout against a federal lease

> Compare the draft to the issues list the lawyer supplies and flag any transfer of record title or operating rights. Do not state that the BLM will approve the transfer.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/energy-resources-and-mining/draft-or-redline-a-joint-operating-agreement-or-farmout/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Energy, Resources & Mining](https://ailawframework.com/practice/energy-resources-and-mining.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Compare the draft to the issues list the lawyer supplies and flag any transfer of record title or operating rights. Do not state that the BLM will approve the transfer. |
| What the lawyer must review | 43 C.F.R. § 3106 provides that leases may be transferred by assignment or sublease. An assignment of record title conveys record title and operating rights unless operating rights have already been severed by an approved transfer. An assignment of a separate zone, deposit, depth, formation or specific well is denied. The transferee's rights are not recognized until the authorized officer approves the transfer. Each transfer of record title or operating rights is filed on the current form the Director has approved. The operating agreement does not replace that form. The lawyer reads every operative clause before the agreement is signed. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Draft or redline a joint operating agreement or farmout](https://ailawframework.com/practice/energy-resources-and-mining/draft-or-redline-a-joint-operating-agreement-or-farmout.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: Compare the draft to the issues list the lawyer supplies and flag any transfer of record title or operating rights. Do not state that the BLM will approve the transfer.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Subpart 3106 is the federal onshore oil and gas lease. A private lease or a state lease has its own consent-to-assign clause.
- An assignment of less than 640 acres outside Alaska is denied unless it is the entire lease or the authorized officer is satisfied it furthers development. Read 43 C.F.R. § 3106 before sending the form.

## Sources

- [43 C.F.R. Part 3100, Subpart 3106 (transfers by assignment or sublease)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-3100/subpart-3106) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [30 U.S.C. § 226 (oil and gas leasing on federal land)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/30/226) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*