Although the servitude owner fails to adopt operations by another, he may claim the proportion of production allocable to his interest which was obtained prior to the lapse of three years from his knowledge of the operations resulting in production or the date on which his servitude prescribed, whichever occurs first. If he does so, he is obligated to pay his proportionate share of the cost of development and operation accrued prior to the date on which his servitude prescribed unless the person conducting the operations was in legal or moral bad faith.
La. R.S. § 31:52