Owning land in the Sooner State can come with more than just surface rights—it might also include valuable mineral rights.
When you own land, you might own just the surface or the surface as well as the minerals beneath. Sometimes, one party may own the surface rights while another owns the subsurface mineral rights of the same land.
Title search and deed review
A good place to start is with a title search at your county clerk’s office. You’ll need to trace your property’s ownership history and look for language in past deeds that reference the transfer or reservation of mineral rights. If mineral rights were never severed, they may have passed with the land and still be yours. If they were separated, the chain of title should reflect who owns them now.
Check geological surveys and drilling records
Databases of oil and gas drilling activity across the state can help you determine if your area is geologically favorable for production or if nearby wells have been drilled. You can also look up well records by legal description (section, township and range) to see if there has been historical or current oil and gas activity near your property.
What if you own the mineral rights?
If it turns out you do own the minerals beneath your land, you may be approached by oil and gas companies interested in leasing your rights. It’s crucial to understand your legal position before signing anything. A lease agreement could entitle you to bonus payments, royalties and other compensation.
Never sign a lease without legal review; poorly written leases can give away more than you realize or leave you responsible for costs down the line.
Determining whether your Oklahoma land has minerals—and whether you own them—requires a mix of legal investigation and geological insight. You can uncover the hidden potential beneath your property by reviewing old deeds, examining drilling records and enlisting legal guidance.