(a) After the expiration, cancellation, surrender, or relinquishment of an oil and gas lease, upon written request of the lessor, the lessee shall file a release or discharge of the lease in the land records of the town or towns where the lands described in the lease are located. The filing shall be in recordable form and shall include any fees.

(b) If any lessee, his or her personal representative, successor, or assign fails or refuses to record a release for a period of 30 days after being so requested, he or she shall be liable for all damages occasioned thereby, including costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

(c) A lessor's request for release or discharge shall be in writing and delivered to the lessee by personal service or registered mail at his or her last known address. (Added 1981, No. 240 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 28, 1982.)