My family was contacted a week ago by a landman working for Shell oil inMississippi. She informed us that we own mineral rights in Issaquenna County Mississippi. We live in Texas and have never visited this property and we own only the mineral rights on it. I did some research online through the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board. I learned that there is one well on this property that is listed as dry and plugged. In 1976, a company called Mallard drilled but I could not see that anything was ever discovered. I am trying to gain more knowledge about leasing mineral rights in Mississippi. My family knows less than I do but I am hesitant to hire an attorney because I have no idea how lucrative this situation is going to be. If anyone has experience in negotiating with Shell oil or any ideas about what I can expect from them, I would greatly appreciate any help. Is there more research I can do online without visiting the site or hiring an attorney? Is there a way to find out the going rate for mineral rights in Mississippi? The person who contacted us said she is in the process of finding all the heirs. This process sounds as if it could take a long time to work out. Any ideas about that? Thank you for your time and help.
I can maybe help you. First, I am not aware that “Shell” is presently active in MS, but they may be and I just don’t know about it. It is possible that the landman said “Shale” and not “Shell.” There is some activity-I would not say a lot-by landmen leasing for independents (not companies like Shell) to explore the “Shale” formations. These projects involve the “fracking” that has been so much in the news lately. These projects are in (usually) previously unexplored areas in MS and LA, and are considered “Wildcat” projects. I do title work for an independent oil company that is active in this area; all my work is with title, and not leasing. However, I am very familiar with what is being paid in these unexplored areas: $25/Acre for Lease Bonus, 1/8th Royalty, 5 yr lease with 5 yr option on same terms. This has been pretty-much the standard deal for everyone for the last year or so. There is not much you can find out online that will be accurate. In all likelihood, it would be cost prohibitive to hire an attorney to confirm title and heirship. I will be glad to help you if I can. If you want me to, then tell me how to get in touch with you by telephone or mail. Good luck.
Today I found out that the petroleum landman is with an independent company in Roaring Fork Mississippi called Solar Resources LLC. I am a little confused why they want to lease our mineral rights in Issaquenna County, MS. It appears that they sell solar energy equipment. Does anyone have ideas about this? What are they looking for? Thank you for your help.
It’s Rolling Fork, not Roaring. Rolling Fork is in adjoining Sharkey County, which is next to Issaquena. Issaquena is so scarcely populated (mostly farmland) that most business takes place in nearby Rolling Fork or Greenville (Washington County). Mayerville is county seat of Issaquena and Rolling Fork is county seat of Sharkey. Greenville is County seat of Washington County. A lot of Issaquena business is also handled in Vicksburg, county seat of Warren County. Issaquena county is bordered by Sharkey, Washington & Warren counties, and the Mississippi River. Hope this helps. Solar Resources is legitimate and the owners live in those counties. They offered me a generous lease that I accepted years ago (unfortunately, they haven’t offered to renew). They were hoping to explore fracking possibilities. Plenty of groundwater and the MS River is right there. No fracking yet.