Do
you own the mineral rights to your land?
Many
landowners may be unaware of gas and oil companies bidding for mineral rights beneath
their property. That’s because of the The
Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916 which allows many states to sell
real property as a split estate. A split estate essentially splits real
property into two entities; one for the surface, the other being minerals.
Often times many homeowners are unaware of this situation until the areas
mineral rights owner knocks on their door requesting access for mineral
extraction, in which case the surface owner has no right to deny.
One
way around this would, of course, be to own both the mineral and surface rights
to your property. However, gas and oil companies still can access your minerals
by a process of forced pooling. The federal government groups mineral rights within
1-square mile zones. To access the minerals companies need only to obtain a
certain percentage of minerals owners who would be willing to either sell or
lease their mineral rights; some states require only 20% to gain access. Once given
access those who aren’t willing are still forced to either lease or sell their
rights to oil and gas companies.
Once
again I ask, do you own the mineral rights to your land?
Sources:
One dilemma with this division of property is that drilling operations underneath a certain property will have a definite and concrete effect on the surface property. It may weaken the surface of the property area due to the reduction of land density, or it may cause noise pollution caused by the drilling. That is why people need to know if the rights they have to their land cover the minerals that might be found underneath it.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Queenie
I think there is nothing wrong with the move. It is even a better idea because there are other more pressing financial needs. The royalties will take years anyway so the council will still be able to gather enough revenues.
ReplyDeleteSell Royalties By UNI Royalties