Mineral Right Reasearch and Mitigation
Range Rescue, LLC can assist Ranchers and Landowners promote responsible stewardship of land and mineral resources, capture potential revenue streams, and assist with mineral right ownership issues.
Range Rescue, LLC Mineral Rights Research and Mitigation Services Provided
· Research ownership from Patent to present
· Identify type and quality of minerals as “High”, “Medium”’ “Low” potential
· Research development in the area to identify opportunities
· If landowner does not own mineral estate, assist with Surface Use Agreement to obtain highest return, best development locations, maintenance and reclamation
Surface vs. Mineral Rights
- Surface rights = rights to the land (for ranching, farming, building)
- Mineral rights = rights to subsurface resources (oil, gas, coal, metals, etc.)
In many cases, these rights are severed, meaning the mineral rights are owned by someone other than the surface owner.
What Do Mineral Owners Have the Right to Do?
- Explore, drill, or mine the minerals
- Access the surface to develop minerals (even if they don’t own the land!)
- In most jurisdictions, mineral rights are dominant, meaning the mineral owner can access the surface reasonably — unless specifically limited by deed, lease, or local law.
Researching Ownership – How to Find Out Who Owns What
- County Clerk or Recorder's Office: Deeds, leases, and historical transactions
- Title abstract report: This can trace mineral rights through previous owners
- Landman or mineral rights attorney: Experts in tracing mineral title
- State Oil & Gas Commission or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (for federal lands)
Look for:
- Severance deeds
- Oil/gas leases
- Royalty assignments
- Conveyances reserving minerals
Fractional and Split Ownership
Mineral rights often get split over time:
- Heirs inherit fractional shares
- Multiple parties may own undivided interests
- Rights can be leased (with royalties) while ownership is retained
Leasing & Royalties
If mineral rights are leased to a company:
- The owner usually gets a signing bonus + royalties (e.g., up to18% of production revenue)
- Leases often last 3–5 years, with “held by production” clauses that extend them indefinitely if minerals are being produced
Environmental & Surface Protections
If you own the surface but not the minerals:
- Landowners may negotiate surface use agreements (SUAs) with drillers and may include up to a 5% royalty.
- Local/state laws may require notice or bonding
- Consider split estate laws (especially in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, etc.)
Common Issues
- Unknown mineral owners (aka “unlocatables” or “missing heirs”)
- Dormant or unclaimed mineral rights (can revert to the state)
- Disputes over access, environmental damage, or royalty payments
- Federal or tribal rights — different rules may apply
