I own surface and zero minerals. All wells on my land have been plugged and abandoned. There is active oil and gas to my west. Wells to my west are part of a lease that did include my property. There is a water disposal line that runs from wells to west through my property and to an injection well on the property to the my north. Does surface owner have any right to ask that water line to be re routed around my property?
You can start a friendly conversation with the operator about moving the pipeline. If it is a line lying on the surface, then you can request that it be moved at least to the edges of your property, rather than cutting across your tract. If it is buried, then that would be far more expensive. Total removal from your land depends on several factors. For example, is there a recorded surface use or right-of-way / easement agreement between the you or prior owner and the operator? Has the mineral lease under your land expired or is it still part of a unit including the adjacent land? What you can legally ask for will also depend on state law.
1 Like