REEVES LAND SERVICES – MINERAL RIGHTS SEARCH
MINERAL RIGHTS TITLE SEARCH TEXAS
Who owns the mineral rights on my land?
Difference between surface and mineral ownership
How to search for oil and gas mineral rights records/ title search
Title search of mineral rights ownership
Researching unclaimed oil and gas royalties
Researching inherited mineral rights
When dealing with minerals, like oil and gas, it is important to know exactly who owns the mineral rights on a property. Reeves Land Services is one of the best mineral rights title research companies in Texas. The professional results you receive when working with Reeves Land Services will save you time and give you peace in knowing that the answer to your questions was achieved through hard work and detailed research. Call Reeves Land Services today for help with your mineral rights title search!
Who owns the mineral rights on my land?
The use of new technology has allowed the oil and gas industry to find and access deposits that previously would not have been attainable. More and more people are being approached about minerals on their land. One of the first things a property owner needs to confirm is that they still own the rights to minerals found on their property. It is also important when purchasing land to know whether or not you are also buying the mineral rights with the property.
Difference between surface and mineral ownership
Property rights can be divided into two estates, surface and mineral estates. Property owners nearly always own the surface rights to property. Some properties are sold without the mineral rights, as the rights may have been severed in a previous sale or title transaction. The surface rights to a property include everything above ground This may be land, the house and any buildings on the property. Mineral rights typically include any underground resources, except limestone, caliche, surface shale, building stones, sand, gravel or water, all of which belong to the surface owner. Once severed, the owner of the surface rights has no claim on the mineral rights.
The owner of the mineral rights can sell, mine, or produce the gas or oil that is below or on the surface. The surface rights are subservient to the mineral rights, so the owner of the mineral estate can alter the surface as much as is needed to access the minerals underground. As such, it is important for a property owner to be very clear on who owns the mineral rights on their property.
How to search for oil and gas mineral rights records/ title search
Ownership of mineral rights should be a very clear matter. County Clerk’s offices have a records vault that contains deeds for all properties from sovereignty to the present date. The deeds will specify exactly what rights the owner of the property is selling or reserving. In some cases, the matter will require additional research to confirm the specifics involved in title ownership. Using a professional to help research the title and rights for a property in question is always advised. This will help ensure accuracy and thorough confirmation for your results.
Title search of mineral rights ownership
Property owners are not the only ones who research mineral rights. Companies that have an interest in the resources on the property also must research and confirm mineral rights ownership. These companies want to make sure they get approval from the correct owners. As well, they must also know who to include in the payment of any royalty interest that the resources yield. Given the importance, companies often use internal and external resources to confirm mineral rights ownership.
Researching unclaimed oil and gas royalties
Each year millions of dollars of oil and gas royalties go unclaimed. Each state has its own fund to pool these assets. These funds typically are the result of the state not knowing the next of kin for a property when the known owner passes away. The resources on the land continue to yield royalty checks, and that money is held in suspense and is waiting to be claimed by the proper owner. If you think you may have unclaimed royalties that are due, it is helpful to engage the services of a professional. A title professional can research the land that is owned to assess who the owner of the mineral rights is. Plus, the professional can help you support your claim on the unclaimed payments.
Researching inherited mineral rights
When a relative leaves land as part of the inheritance, the recipient often times has to make a number of decisions. If there is oil and gas or some other resource on the property, these decisions can have an immediate financial ramification. It is important to understand what rights were owned by the relative, as they will be passed in the inheritance. A title research professional can clarify any rights to surface and minerals. As well, a title research professional can help you stake claim to royalty payments for minerals being extracted from the property. That’s one less decision you will need to make when transitioning property after a loved one passes.
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Travis M. Reeves, RPL
San Antonio, Texas 78230
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Cell: (713) 907-1939
Fax: (713) 583-1116