Undivided Fractional Oil and Gas Interests – Part 2: Mineral or Royalty?
An issue often confronted by landmen and title examiners is whether or not an instrument creates a mineral or royalty interest. The answer to this question determines whether or not a lessee has obtained a valid lease, whether or not that lease covers all of the minerals, and what amounts should be paid to which […]
Read MoreCharacterization of Oil and Gas Interests Under Texas Community Property Laws
Determining ownership of the mineral estate can be a complicated proposition, which is only made thornier by the institution of marriage. The State of Texas is a community property jurisdiction in which ownership is characterized by both the nature of the property in question and the timing of its acquisition by the spouses. Under the […]
Read MoreUndivided Fractional Oil and Gas Interests – Part 1: NPRI’s and Harmonization
Oil and gas law is rife with litigation, with few areas as contentious as the creation of undivided fractional interests such as the nonparticipating royalty interest (“NPRI”). The NPRI is carved from the mineral estate and generally consists of the right to royalty under an oil and gas lease. This right to royalty burdens the […]
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