Quick thank you for all the knowledge I have gained lurking here. So now I am getting documents regarding a new well, Brogden 1H-6-31, proposed by Citizen for the above noted property. I inherited a small fractional interest back in 1981 and still get a tiny check from Mustang every year on a couple wells still producing. I don’t have any documentation available on the original lease other than lease numbers on the division orders I received when ownership transferred to me (I was 19 at the time). While there is not much monetary value involved, I have family attachment to the property and want to make sure I protect my interest. Is there anything I should look for, or be aware of with new drilling on lease of this age? I just received an election letter asking me to participate, lease, or assign interest, and chose from 1/8 or 3/16 royalty. Perhaps others with “ghost leases” could gain some insight.
I ignore those letters and do not respond. If you are getting royalties from the earlier wells, were you leased or force pooled? If you were leased, then you may not be able to lease again. If you were pooled, then possibly at this new depth. They might have been hoping you would assign your interest. Personally, I wouldn’t. If you were leased, then you will be held by the terms of your first lease. Nothing for you to do except collect your checks and make sure that your estate plans are safely in place. These horizontal wells can last decades, just like your original wells.
The spacing has already been approved for the Mississippian and the Woodford which are below the Cherokee formation that the Cooley wells are in. Those were some really good wells! And have a long way to go. Hang onto your acreage, in my opinion…
M. Barnes, my wife inherited oil and mineral rights on a small piece of land in Blaine County. This was seemingly a direct family inheritance. Additionally she may have inherited another piece in Blaine County, through the Uncle who was the original owner of the first piece. The property is apparently being drilled now, and another horizontal well to be dug too, yet she has nothing to show for it. Clearly she needs legal help. Can you recommend someone in Blaine County, or the nearby area? Thank you for even considering, and also for all of your great posts.
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What section, township and range? I can check the activity. Did she file her probate documents in the Blaine county courthouse? They can’t lease you if they cannot find you. She does need to find an oil and gas attorney. If there are no OK attorneys in the list above, then she can go to the OK bar association website and look up an attorney with oil & gas specialty for the leasing part and a family estate lawyer for the getting the title part right. Some firms have both. It can be a bit tricky to get the oil and gas attorney as many have a conflict of interest depending upon the operator. Just keep asking until you find a good one that does not.
One is Section 3-18N-13W, and the other is Sec. 34-19N-13W. I am very naive in legal matters, especially with these issues. I don’t believe any probate documents are filed there, though I get mail for myself, my Uncle C/O me, my father C/O me, and my grandmother C/O, so that leads me to believe they know I exist. I’ve also had offers for both plots. I’m trying to reach one attorney in the general area who has good reviews. Thanks so much for taking your time to answer me question! Very much appreciated.
The original Pioneer 3_34_18N-13W 1HX well was drilled back in 2018. Whomever owned it at that time should have gotten notices, but if the change of ownership or addresses were not filed with the county clerk of deeds, then you may have been missed. Two more wells are being planned now.
Derby has filed for two multi unit (multi section) horizontal wells that involves both 3-18N-13W and goes north into 34-19N-13W. You may or may not own acreage in both sections. That would depend upon your inheritance. The paperwork was filed 11/4/22.
You need to contact Derby Exploration and get in touch with the Division Order Analyst for the original well and see who they holding the revenue for and then find out what they need in order to correct the title and transfer the royalties to the proper heirs. Then you may need to find a probate attorney in OK to help you walk through the steps to get everything in order. It is not all that complicated, but must be done properly.
Gordon:
It is hard to tell from your information. But if an Oklahoma probate has occurred, it should be a fairly simple task to clear up the matter. If the probate was filed in another state an ancillary process will need to be handled in Oklahoma since only Oklahoma has jurisdiction within its borders. Again, for the client this is usually a simple process usually without the need to travel to Oklahoma.
This post is not legal, tax or investment advice. Reading or responding to this post does not create an attorney/client relationship.
I’ll get on it. You are so helpful. Thanks a million!
Potentially there could be probate issues in Hawaii, California, Alabama, and New York. If this is only dealing with the one property that seems certain, that is 2.62 acres, and the inheritance chain includes Hawaii, Alabama, and California. The other piece, less certain, is about 5.8 acres. I’m wondering if the cost to clear all this up will be higher than the possible financial benefit.
Check with Derby about the original well. Also check unclaimed funds at the state Treasurer’s office in all the states where the ancestors lived. Ask the attorney who is helping clear up the probate for a preliminary estimate of costs. Horizontal wells can be worth the hassle.
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