Which of the following best describes the term 'rule of capture'?

The term 'rule of capture' refers primarily to the legal principle that allows a property owner to extract resources, such as oil or natural gas, from beneath their land without regard for property lines. This principle means that if a resource is captured from below the surface—regardless of whether it has migrated from neighboring properties—the owner is legally entitled to keep that resource.

This rule underscores the idea that resources such as oil and gas are treated differently than traditional land ownership in the context of extraction rights. Once the resource is captured, it is no longer associated with the land from which it originated, leading to a competitive environment where property owners can extract as much as they can before it is depleted.

Understanding this principle is crucial, especially in discussions regarding resource management, land use, and the legal implications of property rights in geologically rich areas.