What rights do life tenants maintain regarding drilling new wells?

Life tenants hold certain rights to use and benefit from the property they occupy, but these rights have limitations, especially regarding activities that could affect property value or the rights of remaindermen. In the context of drilling new wells, life tenants generally do not have unrestricted rights.

The correct understanding is that life tenants may drill new wells only if they have received authorization from the party holding the royalties, which typically would be the grantor or previous owner of the mineral rights. This requirement ensures that the life tenant does not act in ways that could diminish the value of the property or infringe on the interests of others with a stake in the property, such as the remaindermen. The authorization mechanism helps maintain the balance of property rights, protecting both the life tenant's right to exploit the property for beneficial uses and the interests of those who will inherit the property after the life tenant’s rights end.

The other options inaccurately represent the nature of the rights life tenants possess. They do not have unqualified rights to drill without restrictions, nor are they entirely barred from drilling; some degree of authorization is necessary. The requirement for court approval is often reserved for more complex disputes or circumstances and is not a general requirement for drilling by life tenants.