days elapsed during which there was a cessation of operations. The work performed by Yates prior to the expiration of the primary term constituted drilling operations, in accordance with the completion clause. The undisputed facts demonstrate that Yates staked and surveyed the location, applied for and received a permit to drill the well, and began preparing and building the well location prior to the expiration of the primary term. These activities have been held to be sufficient to constitute the engagement and commencement of drilling operations. See, e.g., Petersen, 356 S.W.2d at 219-20 (hiring contractor to drill well, employing surveyor to survey well, and staking and leveling well location constituted engagement in drilling operations); Oelze, 90 Ill.Dec. 1, 481 N.E.2d at 802-03 (<HOLDING>); D’Lo Royalties, Inc. v. Shell Oil Co., 389
holding that obtaining a drilling permit clearing brush leveling a well site and digging slush pits functioned as commencement of drilling operations holding that a casino that functioned as an arm of the tribe enjoyed tribal immunity holding that installation of storm and sanitary sewers paving and curbing as well as clearing grubbing excavating and grading of land must be incidental to construction of a building in order to qualify as erection and construction recognizing the potential for damage to business reputation and loss of value in property as well as other harmful consequences when site is listed on npl holding that it is within the power of the legislature to determine that the community should be beautiful as well as healthy spacious as well as clean wellbalanced as well as carefully patrolled