Hello everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice from people who have experience with inherited mineral rights, particularly in Roosevelt County, Montana.
My family recently received information from an attorney concerning mineral rights that belonged to my step-grandfather and grandmother. My grandparents died in 1978 and 1998 respectively. These mineral rights were never mentioned in any of their estates in Minnesota where they died. Montana is now opening a new probate for the mineral rights. They appointed a personal representative who has petitioned the court to approve the sale and final distribution of our 1/3 mineral interests.
An appraisal values approximately 18.87 net mineral acres across five sections at $28,300, or $1,500 per net mineral acre. My grandmother’s reported one-third interest would be worth approximately $9,433 under that valuation, although we’re still working to verify the ownership and inheritance details.
Rather than simply accepting the proposed sale, I started researching the properties myself. What I discovered surprised me. The mineral interests are located in Townships 29N and 30N, Range 58E, Roosevelt County, Montana. I found recent Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation orders involving Phoenix Operating LLC that authorize up to four wells in each of two drilling units — potentially eight wells altogether.
These units include Sections 6, 7, and 31 in one unit and Section 32 in another, all of which overlap legal descriptions associated with the estate. There is also separate Oasis-related drilling-unit activity involving Section 5, that is still producing oil today. I understand that drilling authorizations do not guarantee wells will actually be drilled, and I have not confirmed that drilling permits have been issued.
However, this raises some important questions for our family.
Would you consider selling inherited mineral interests under these circumstances, or would you investigate retaining them until the proposed drilling activity becomes clearer? I’m also interested in whether the $1,500-per-net-mineral-acre appraisal seems reasonable given the recent drilling orders, and whether we should obtain an independent mineral appraisal or consult a Montana mineral-title attorney before the sale is approved.
A court hearing concerning the proposed sale is scheduled for November 19, 2026.
I’m new to mineral-rights ownership and would appreciate any guidance, particularly from people familiar with northeastern Montana.
Thank you for your time and advice.