What can a mineral owner do on your property?

This might mean the mineral owner has the right to drill an oil or natural gas well, or excavate a mine on your property. The mineral owner is also commonly allowed to build roadways or other improvements necessary to facilitate the mineral extraction. Sometimes the terms of the conveyance of the mineral rights restrict the mineral owner’s rights.

How are mineral rights similar to real estate?

Mineral rights are property rights, just like a home or a plat of land. For this reason, the process of transferring mineral rights is virtually identical to the process of selling or transferring land. In most states, you’ll need to fill out a conveyance that transfers the deed from you to the new owner.

How does the mineral estate work in Texas?

In Texas, the mineral estate is a separate interest in land that can be severed from the surface estate. The severance gener- ally occurs in one of two ways. Either the landowner sells the minerals and retains the surface, or more commonly, the land- owner sells the surface and retains the minerals.

Where can I get a mineral deed form?

This can be accomplished by filing a mineral deed form with the local Recorder of Deeds. The Recorder of Deeds will notify the grantee to whom you are granting your rights, and there will be a record of the transfer of ownership.

How to include mineral rights in estate plan?

Deed/title One common way to include your mineral and royalty interests in your estate plan is to convey your mineral or royalty interests by deed. This can be accomplished by filing a mineral deed form with the local Recorder of Deeds.

Can you own mineral rights without an interest?

Likewise, you could own surface rights without having an interest in the mineral rights under your land because you lease the mineral interests under your land to another party. You should receive royalty interests in exchange for those mineral rights. Often, people do not know that they hold an interest in mineral rights.

Who is the owner of the minerals under your property?

For example, if your property is in an area where oil rigs are an everyday sight, where natural gas drilling is prevalent, or where coal mining operations exist, if you don’t own the minerals under your land, the mineral owner might come calling.

How can I find out if I have mineral rights?

You should receive royalty interests in exchange for those mineral rights. Often, people do not know that they hold an interest in mineral rights. Every state provides searchable online records of unclaimed oil and gas royalties that you can search to see if you have any interests of which you are unaware.