MRP 317: Listener Questions January 2026

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MRP 317: Listener Questions January 2026

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In this episode, we answer questions submitted by Nathan, Lisa, Bill, Tina, Rose, Linda, and David. From dealing with an unresponsive Oklahoma producer who won’t pay royalties and won’t return calls or emails—a frustrating situation many owners encounter, to what to do when you receive an unsolicited offer to sell your minerals and how to know if it’s a fair deal, to lease negotiations and fair lease language, specifically around pugh/retained acreage clauses. These are practical, real-world issues that could save you thousands of dollars if you know how to handle them correctly. Listen to the full episode to hear our detailed advice for each situation.

As before, many of the questions in this episode are covered in more depth in my Mineral Management Basics online course, including how to read a legal description, perform a title search, identify nearby oil and gas activity, and determine whether you should be getting paid on a well. 

Thanks again to everyone who left a review or who submitted a listener question!  If you have a question about your minerals or royalties, you can send it to feedback@mineralrightspodcast.com!

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Listener Question #1

Matt,

What advice do you have for a mineral rights owner who is not receiving royalty payments from a producer, and the producer has not responded to multiple efforts to reach them via mail, email or phone?

The amount of the royalty payments probably do not justify hiring an attorney for collection, but there is a matter of principle here.  Plus, it is difficult to know exactly how much is due from past production, or what the future holds.

Another reason I am trying to remedy the situation is that the ownership split of the mineral rights has changed due to an estate settlement.   I have tried to get the producer to recognize the change via updated division order.   Similarly, no response.

The location of the wells in question is Oklahoma, Grady County.  The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has been of no help.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Nathan  

Listener Question #2

Hi Matt, I’m almost done with your course and am feeling more comfortable as I read our leases and look at all the material that’s been piling up regarding our oil and gas interests. I still struggle with finding locations and oil and gas activity and am wondering if I can purchase a subscription to a simple website that will do the work for me. I’m looking specifically for a place where I can enter my location, find a map, and then find any wells and their details on the location. I’ve looked at Mineral Answers but it might be more than what I need. Any suggestions? We are in Texas and New Mexico.

 Thanks for your time!

 By the way, I’ve subscribed to NARO and have been making my way through its educational videos. 

 Lisa

Listener Question #3

Hi Matt,

We own 0.28 acres of land in wintersville Ohio and Ascent wants to drill. We are selling our house and the buyer would like the minerals. No lease with the oil company has been signed so nothing is in stone with royalties. Is 0.28 acres worth holding on too if it’s a deal breaker?

Thx in advance

Bill

Listener Question #4

What activity is going on in the Eagle Ford Shale area.  I have been hearing a lot about hydrogen production.  Can the older low producing wells still benefit from this technology and horizontal drilling in LaSalle Co, TX?  We have one gas well in this county.  We were offered $2k to sell our royalties in May.  A few years ago they offered us $200.  The royalty checks are very slim, maybe $100-200 for the whole year.  We split the royalties with another family member. 

Tina

Listener Question #5

Hello Matt and Justin:

My family owns some property in Reeves County, Texas  and while I was looking on the GLO website, I saw a document titled “Assignment of Oil and Gas Leases, Stipulation, and Cross-Conveyance.”  I saw a section that states that my family’s land is cross-conveyed with other leases.  What does this mean and would it impact our royalty interest and if so, would it be for better or for worse?

Thank you for all you do and I’m staying tuned to the next episode.

-Rose

Listener Question #6

Hello Matt,

I have companies wanting to buy my mineral rights in New Mexico. I have been told that I should not sell my mineral rights. I also have mineral rights in Texas but I am told that it is depleted. I do not believe I would ever sell my mineral rights in Texas because I have a Land Grant Patent. I have been offered $8000 for 0.8 acres, would you sell?

Linda

Listener Question #7

Dear Mr. Sands,

My sister and I have received through inheritance relatively small mineral interests. We have been listening to your podcasts with great interest as part of our efforts to better understand what we own.

As I was listening to one of your podcasts, Episode 6 “How to Negotiate an Oil and Gas Lease,” I was wondering if you would be able to share an example of a fair (to the mineral rights owner—but not unfair to the operator) Vertical and/or Horizontal Pugh clause? 

This issue has arisen during recent negotiations with an operator (through their agents) for drilling in an area in the Permian Basin in eastern New Mexico. We would greatly appreciate any help. Indeed, even if you can supply us with potential Pugh Clause language, perhaps you could point us toward resources where we could obtain fair language to utilize?

Thank you for your consideration of my request. Regardless of whether you can assist us, thank you for your podcast. It has been of immense help!

Blessings,

David

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Mineral Rights Education

How to Make Sure You are Getting Paid Correctly

How to Negotiate a Lease / Surface Use Agreement

Books on Negotiating

Selling Mineral Rights

Selling Mineral Rights

Inheritance

Mineral Rights Research

Check out the free form letter I’ve created for you to contact your operator about late or missing royalty payments.

Thanks for Listening!

To share your thoughts:

  • Leave a comment or listener question below (we read each one and your question may be featured in a future episode)!
  • Ask a question or leave us feedback via email.

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Thanks again – until next time!

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