N.M. Stat. § 19-10-29
Current through 2024, ch. 69
In the event of the cancellation or forfeiture of any lease issued under the provisions of this act [19-10-11, 19-10-26 to 19-10-30 NMSA 1978] from any cause whatever, the lessee or assignee shall be permitted to remove any and all improvements from the lands which lessee can remove without injury thereto, provided, however, that the commissioner of public lands may require that all or any part of the casing shall be left in any well which is productive of water when he shall deem it to the interest of the state to maintain said well, or wells, for water, and in such case the lessee shall be paid the reasonable value of the casing therein.
NMS § 19-10-29