Surface Rights Vs Mineral Rights In Oil & Gas Leasing

It is common to be confused between surface rights and mineral rights associated with it can be owned separately from the minerals lying underneath.  This may cause some problem for the mineral rights owner. In this infographic, all those issues have been discussed. The surface and the rights associated with it can be owned separately from the minerals lying underneath. Due to this provision, smaller drill sites are trending. Horizontal drilling reduces the area for mineral well drilling thus the surface damage stays to a minimum. Mineral owners have to keep the surface damage in mind. The surface owner has to be compensated for damages done to the surface. The surface owner has all the right to put no surface operation clause and that will restrict oil and gas companies from drilling the surface. The mineral owner and the oil and gas company have to be on the same page for the location of operation. Along with all the regulations mentioned above, there is some more important regulations such as reclamation of land, water-related clauses and others.