Okla. Stat. tit. 52 § 318.2 : Oil and Gas — Regulation of Wells —General Provisions — Definitions TEXT PDF For purposes of Sections 1 through 8 of this act: 1. "Operator" means a mineral owner or lessee who is engaged in drilling or preparing to drill for oil or gas; and 2. "Surface owner" means the owner or owners of record of the surface of the property on which the drilling operation is to occur. Okla. Stat. tit. 52, § 318.2 Added by Laws 1982, HB 1460, c. 341, § 1, emerg. eff. 7/1/1982.