The basic lease agreement involves an initial bonus payment for signing the lease, a royalty percentage to be paid if natural gas minerals are found and produced from the property and a time frame within which the energy company has to begin operations. If natural gas production does occur, the lease continues in effect for as long as the well produces, which could be for decades.
Commonly, the term bonus refers to the up-front money paid to the owner of the mineral rights in consideration for signing an oil and natural gas lease. It is generally calculated on a per acre basis and the amount paid depends on the amount of mineral acres owned by the lessor.