§ 70-7-17 NMSA 1978

Except to the extent that the parties affected so agree, no order providing for unit operations shall be construed to result in a transfer of all or any part of the title of any person to the oil and gas rights in any tract in the unit area. All property, whether real or personal, that may be acquired in the conduct of unit operations hereunder shall be acquired for the account of the working interest owners within the unit area, and shall be the property of such working interest owners in the proportion that the costs of unit operations are charged.