R.G.R. Very good reasons for sure. These companies pay out a lot of bonus money and later find out they paid someone whom they thought was an heir. Some of these minerals were sold and traded back and forth years ago so many times that it would make your head swim. Throw in some deeds and such that did not get filed properly and the quality of people searching for some of the companies. I know that these companies want to hold on to their money (and yours too). Hard to tell that to those folks who were made to think they were so "special" to the company. In the meantime it's business as usual for the company and wait wait for the mineral owner.
DT, you are correct. I discovered that one of the three wells that were listed in my mother's name in 1995 (last documented payment) seemed to drift away... I don't know how, but they stopped paying her for it. I "found" another well. So, now we have four! So, my cousin, who thought that there were only three...has four as well. Number 1 and 2 and she thought she was receiving payment for #3. Nope, she was getting a royalty for a fourth well! So, bottom line is that Antero became the operator this year. They are researching it now. The fun part is the "fourth well" was sold at tax auction a year or two ago. Well, my cousin has paid the same taxes as we have...but still owns hers. I can see how those folks at the court house can have it happen after reading about how many O&G folks are in their digging around. Now, off to pay the lawyer!
You can bet that once I get this straight, wells won't get lost again! SMH