I am a surface owner and not the mineral rights owner. I received a letter from CGG Land (U.S.) Inc. that they will be conducting a seismic survey in Houston County, Texas. They are requesting permission to include the property owned by me within their survey area. They included a project area map, 2 copies of a seismic permit, a W-9 Form, and a questionnaire. They are offering $15 per acre for access to enter and conduct their seismic operations.
Is $15 a reasonable price? Should I go ahead and consent because I'm not the mineral owner? How do I find out who owns the minerals on my land?
Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.
I think if they get one mineral owner to sign, or 1% of mineral ownership, they can conduct it whether or not you sign.
Mineral ownership generally requires some research in the county where the land is located or finding an online site.
It's possible they want your approval to avoid conflict, or if in the questions it asks about mineral ownership, and you mark negative to that, they will do additional research and find at least one mineral owner instead. They may be contacting you pursuant to the county tax rolls, not knowing that you do not own any of the minerals.
Dave is correct that they have the right to conduct the work if they own or have leased even a portion of the mineral rights. However, they are responsible for any actual, physical damages to your crops, fences, roads etc. My guess is that the $15/acre is intended to be a blanket fee in lieu of having to figure actual damages. You can either accept the $15/acre or wait and get a settlement for the actual damages, if any.
Seismic surveys are pretty benign, generally only take a week or so, and the actual physical damages will most likely be minimal. There will be some vehicle traffic and a little noise, but when they are gone there shouldn't be much evidence they were ever there. But if you have any specific concerns about particular sensitive areas you could try and negotiate those before you agree to the $15.
Thanks much. This helps.
Steve Durrett said:
Dave is correct that they have the right to conduct the work if they own or have leased even a portion of the mineral rights. However, they are responsible for any actual, physical damages to your crops, fences, roads etc. My guess is that the $15/acre is intended to be a blanket fee in lieu of having to figure actual damages. You can either accept the $15/acre or wait and get a settlement for the actual damages, if any.
Seismic surveys are pretty benign, generally only take a week or so, and the actual physical damages will most likely be minimal. There will be some vehicle traffic and a little noise, but when they are gone there shouldn't be much evidence they were ever there. But if you have any specific concerns about particular sensitive areas you could try and negotiate those before you agree to the $15.
Thank you.
Dave Quincy said:
I think if they get one mineral owner to sign, or 1% of mineral ownership, they can conduct it whether or not you sign.
Mineral ownership generally requires some research in the county where the land is located or finding an online site.
It's possible they want your approval to avoid conflict, or if in the questions it asks about mineral ownership, and you mark negative to that, they will do additional research and find at least one mineral owner instead. They may be contacting you pursuant to the county tax rolls, not knowing that you do not own any of the minerals.
Dear Ms. Nelson,
You may want to incude in your surface permit such items as no wet weather work, no shot holes on your property and also stand off distances from your wells, either regular water, irrigation or oil and gas wells, even if the shot holes are not located on your property.
You may want to have extra damage from rutting. You would certainly want notice by the seismic contractor prior to entry, using gates, not cutting fences...the list can be quite extensive.
Even though you have no real ability to keep the seimic contractor off your property, they do not want to go the route of a Temporary Restraining Order against you and will pay you money and negotiate use of the surface in the interest of keeping the peace.
Best,
Buddy Cotten