# Can we be sued is we only own a portion of the minerals?
**URL:** https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345
**Category:** Law & Legal
**Created:** [May 23, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345 "2011-05-23T23:14:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@larry\_pritchett](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/larry_pritchett)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345/1 "2011-05-23T23:14:45Z")
We are in the process of signing an oil & gas lease, we own 25% rights to land in North Dakota. We are concerned about being sued by landowner or whomever owns the other 75% mineral rights should we go forth with this… is there something we should do for our protection???
---
### Author:  [@charles\_s\_mallory](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/charles_s_mallory)
#### Post date: [May 23, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345/2 "2011-05-23T23:42:11Z")
Larry:
I am not an attorney, but on what grounds would the surface owner be able to sue a mineral rights owner for leasing their share of the minerals? You own property below the surface (minerals) which are often more valuable than the surface rights. Usually, if any legal action is taken, it is between the surface owner and the oil company whereas damages to surface areas have occurred and an agreement cannot be reached between the two parties.
---
### Author:  [@r\_w\_kennedy](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/r_w_kennedy)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345/3 "2011-05-24T00:36:44Z")
Anyone could be sued for any reason. The likelihood of someone SUCCESSFULLY suing you for exercising your rights to produce your minerals are about 0%.
---
### Author:  [@larry\_pritchett](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/larry_pritchett)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345/4 "2011-05-24T00:51:55Z")
Thank you for your input everyone—these things can be life changing—or not—can’t be too careful!
---
### Author:  [@Buddy\_Cotten](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Buddy_Cotten)
#### Post date: [May 24, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345/5 "2011-05-24T01:08:35Z")
Dear Mr. Pritchett,
To more fully protect yourself, make certain that your lease has not only an extensive and complete hold harmless provision, but also an Environmental Protection and Indemnity Clause.
---
### Author:  [@system](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2018, 4:22am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/can-we-be-sued-is-we-only-own-a-portion-of-the-minerals/23345/6 "2018-08-15T04:22:31Z")