If a speculator were to lease mineral rights, say at 30% for a property, would another oil company be able to force pool that property? (assuming that is was a minority interest in the unit.) If so would the speculator be forced to pay the mineral owner 30% royalty while only receiving 12.5% from the operator? Would the speculator be able to negotiate a sub lease with operator?
If not I could see situation where mineral owners would lease with a family owned company at a higher lease rate than the going rate to either tie up the land from drilling or to force a higher royalty rate.