I guess so, the contract probably has default clauses.
Federal judge blocks oil and gas leases in Utah
http://www.ogj.com/display_article/350795/7/ONART/none/GenIn/1/Federal-judge-blocks-oil-and-gas-leases-in-Utah/
Jan. 20, 2009
From the article you referenced:
“The purchase of a lease is not a ‘green light’ to drill. A lease is only the first step in a long, expensive process, which can take many years no guarantee of production. Those protesting the sale often forget that natural gas and oil activity in Utah occupies much less than 1% of public land. With current technology and industry practices, producers are able to develop vital energy resources now, and reclaim the land to its original condition soon afterwards.”
Think how destructive these environmentalists are. They hate people.