If any land which is affected by a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners pursuant to the provisions of section 38-09-07 and subject to delinquent tax charges or tax charges which have been adjusted by contract is forfeited to the county under tax proceedings by a tax deed sufficient to constitute color of title in the county to such lands, the oil and gas lease affected by the resolution becomes and remains binding upon the county and its grantees and upon the lessee and the lessee's assigns and successors in interest with like force and effect as though the county had become a party to such lease as of the date of the tax deed to the county.
N.D.C.C. § 38-09-08