re: MUST a landowner lease land to secure royalties...

No, he can remained unleased and will be entitled to 100% of the royaltys for his 2 acres after the cost of the well is paid out of production. 28 months is just an arbitrary number it could be months or years there is no set time period, it depends on how the rate of production of the well and the market price for the oil or gas. He is also probably passing up bonus money that would be paid for just signing the lease, the increased royaly money would make up for this, but the bonus money is guaranteed while future royaltys carry risk. The well may not produce as expected, the life of the well may be cut short by formation problems, or based on the production of wells that are already drilled in the area, they decide not to drill his section. The latter has happened to me twice, so am glad I took the bonus money and leased.