You only get one bonus payment at the time of leasing (in most cases). Once a producing well is drilled, the lease remains in effect according to the terms of the lease-often for as long as there is production. The royalties that you receive are the payments instead. If you see West Texas Intermediate prices, that is only a guide for a particular grade of oil. The wells near you may be in a different reservoir than yours-hence a different designation as “oil” versus “gas”.
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