Do I Own all the Minerals on My Lease? (2)

Just because your name is on a lease for, say, 88 acres doesn’t mean you own all 88 acres of minerals. That number usually refers to the whole piece of land - not just your share. In most cases, mineral rights are split between many people. So even though the lease covers all 88 acres, you might only own a smaller part, like10, 5, or even less than one acre.

This happens a lot when land has been passed down through families or sold off in pieces over the years.





























Even though you only really own less than an acre, the lease is written for the whole property (all 88 acres) to keep things simple for the oil and gas company.

But when it comes to money - like lease payments or royalties - you only get paid for the part you actually own. So if you own one-fourth of the minerals on a 100-acre lease, you’d only get paid for 25 acres. If you own less, than it will be less.

Also, having mineral rights doesn’t always mean you own the land on top. Surface rights and mineral rights can be owned by different people. If you're not sure what you own, it’s a good idea to look at your deed or talk to someone who understands land and mineral rights, like a landman or lawyer.