All liens arising by virtue of this chapter upon the same property shall be of equal standing except that liens of persons for the performance of labor shall be preferred to all other liens arising by virtue of this chapter.
§ 1203.57.Liens Arising Upon Same Property
Title 4. Of the Enforcement of Liens · Chapter 2.5. Oil and Gas Liens · Enacted 1959 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1203.57 puts all liens arising under this chapter on the same property on equal footing with each other, except that liens claimed for labor performed are preferred over every other lien this chapter creates.
Full Text of § 1203.57
Plain-English Summary
When more than one lien arises under the Oil and Gas Lien Act against the same property, this section sorts out how they rank against each other. As a general rule, they're all equal — no lien claimant under this chapter gets to jump ahead of another by recording first or performing work first.
There's one exception: liens claimed for the performance of labor rank ahead of every other lien created by this chapter. That preference singles out people paid wages for physical work on the well, distinguishing them from claimants whose liens rest on furnishing materials or services instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
If two lien claimants both hold liens on the same oil and gas property, who wins?
Ordinarily neither -- Section 1203.57 puts all liens arising under this chapter on equal standing with each other.
Is there any exception to that equal standing?
Yes. Liens claimed for the performance of labor are preferred over all other liens arising under this chapter.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 2020.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: oil and gas lien priority among claimants californialabor lien preference oil and gas