My mother passed away in Jan 2014, her mineral rights were split between me and another family member, recorded in march of 2015. Right off the bat, I noticed that the size of the checks for S&M Energy were different. My mother was averaging a certain amount when she was alive, while afterwards me and the other family member combined average about 2/3rds less then what my mother did though production was the same. Then later while going through the numbers, I found a strange circumstance between a 2 month period of 2 check amount averages, right after her death.
Before we got the deeds transfered in our names from our mother, S &M changed my mothers owner number, there’s no explanation for it. I also noticed that the revenue interest checks decreased by 2/3rds and carried over from her to us, though everything else was the same, and its still that way today. Since then, that company was sold its interest in our wells to another company. I’m trying to get the records and statements from all these companies, as well as back pay owed for wells my mother had interest in, but were hidden from us by Chord Energy and Whiting, until I confonted them in proving our interest. If i didn’t know for sure tjat I was an owner, they would have never told me, and I would have just walked away. How many other owners did exactly that? Believe them and walk away? First it was “you don’t have interest,” then it was " it’s not productive anymore, you have nothing coming, " finally now it’s, " we already paid you." But, in 2015 we received a check for the exact same wells, for 18 months, for 180,342 bbls, today were owed for 9 yrs worth of revenue, 304,121 bbls, and it’s literally just pennies? Thousands and thousands in difference. Something is not right… Plus decimal interests are off. My mother gained interest from another family member, it’s reflected in about half the wells, but they refuse to pay, or even look, and when they do, saying that we already got paid for it, which I know we didn’t. Wait, how could I already have gotten paid, when you just said i don’t have interest? This is all crazy. I’m having alot of problems with all these operators (XTO, S&M, Whiting, Chord), all except one, White Rock - your guy rocks!
I’ve identified 6 separate issues that effect revenue, but the analysts wont help me, often pointing me to another oil operator that bought them out, or an excuse why I won’t get paid, or find out information, just ingororing my emails and requests. I just want records and statements, to have a clear picture of whats going on here, now and in the past, and there’s so much going on from what i can see, but getting clarification and back records Its like pulling teeth.
I’ve been gone for 9 yrs, in another country, I know its my fault for not keeping up and paying attention to the detals. I wasn’t involved, I get it. However, I’m back. The other family member doesn’t know what even to look for, they are handicapped mentally, and I feel like our mineral rights have been taken advantage of because we weren’t paying attention and just trusted these operators too much. I know mistakes can be made, I’m not after blood, just my issues addressed, and everything made correct, so i can at least feel good about all this. This is all I have left from my relationship with my Mom, so its important, you know? Its not just about money. J want to pass these rights to my children someday, but not like this.
But, I’m being lied to, and the other family member was a minor for several of the years owed, she doesn’t deserve this…
I don’t have much money to just go hire an attorney. I don’t have any money at all really, living paycheck to paycheck just surving. But, if I’m right, and after spending weeks in study and research. And I’m 99% sure I am, were not only owed quite a bit of money for back payments, but current and future revenue as well. Plus, I have no idea what wells we actually have an interest in, and I can’t trust anything these people tell me. For instance do i have interest in the wells on the property next to me, its just a few feet across the fence line? I’m not crszy, this is really happening, and I just feel overwhelmed and alone, and out gunned. I didn’t even want first in the first place. I can’t let this go on. Is there any advice you might give? I mean, I’m going to have an ongoing relationship with these companies, i don’t want conflict, I want it to be as pleasant as possible. Butt man, things need to be fixed and there is alot. This is all just a nightmare