N.M. Stat. § 19-8-19
[Terms of leases; stipulation of conditions under statute;
filing and recording.]
The record owners or owner of any mineral lease or approved assignment thereof
heretofore issued by the commissioner and maintained in good standing may enter into
a stipulation with the commissioner of public lands making the terms and conditions of
this act [19-8-18, 19-8-19 NMSA 1978] a part of any such existing lease, the same as if
said provisions had been a part of said lease when issued. The commissioner may
charge a fee not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) for the filing and recording of such
stipulation.
Provided, further, that if for any reason beyond the control of the lessee production
of minerals in paying quantities shall cease after the secondary term has expired, the
producing lessee may, with the written permission of the commissioner, continue said
lease in operation and effect from year to year for an additional period not to exceed
three (3) years by continued payment in advance of annual rentals at the rate provided
in the secondary term of the lease.