My spouse passed in 2020. As I understand it, his father was a “Landman” or some variation thereof. He bought mineral rights and sold them, reserving some portion of mineral rights or royalties for himself. He worked in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota and Montana. (Some are states from where my spouse or his mom received checks, or where he described traveling with his Dad on business when he was a young teen in the mid 40’s.)
I received a notice of merger/acquisition from Ovintiv USA, iNC . It leads with “Dear Royalty Owner”. It goes on to list seven companies they have acquired.
No royalties have been received from any of these acquired companies in the last 30 years.
Does the letter mean that there should have been royalties paid?
Condolences on the passing of your spouse. The answer would depend upon the location of the minerals. It is the mineral owner’s responsibility to contact the operator and notify them with a change of address, probate of a mineral owner, etc. Since they sent you a letter, that might be hint that they are holding something in his name or his mom’s name. Contact the Division Order department and ask what needs to be done to release any funds. Proper probate is usually required. In the meantime, look on the unclaimed funds sites with the State Treasurer in each of those states. Look under his name and his mother’s and father’s names.