I’m hoping that I can get recommendations for a landman who can locate rights in Tyler & Wetzel Counties in West Virginia and Monroe and Belmont Counties in Ohio.
Both sides of family were in the oil business in West Virginia. I received my first lease a couple of years ago for one side of my family but haven’t received any from the other side. I should have rights on both sides of the Ohio River.
Also, if someone can provide information on how Landmen are paid, it will be greatly appreciated.
It is sad there is not a step by step process on how to do this work. Every State is different and sometimes each County with in a state is different. Hiring a lawyer can be expensive such in my case I found almost 80 leases over 5 states and 14 counties. But the income is less than 1,000 a year for me and my 3 siblings. I have been plugging through it all and working it out but is a full time job.
Check for activity first. Look at whether any operator is drilling near where you think you own an interest. If nobody is developing the area, a full title search may be money spent on something that never pays off. Ohio-side title is generally simpler than West Virginia.
The big risk in West Virginia: owning the land or “the minerals” doesn’t mean you own everything under it.
Ways the interest can be split
NPRI (non-participating royalty interest): you get a share of royalties but have no say in leasing and get no bonus.
Oil-only or gas-only: the two can be owned by different people.
Bonus vs. royalty: one branch of a family can hold the right to lease and collect the signing bonus, while another branch collects the royalties. This is the executive rights vs. non-executive interest issue.
Fractional interests: old deeds and inheritances can leave you with a small slice, not 100%.
Why it matters for cost
A landman or attorney running title bills for time, and in West Virginia that can add up fast. You could spend thousands to learn you hold a small or non-executive interest that never pays back the research cost
Operator to watch: Antero Resources is very active along the Ohio River in Tyler and Wetzel Counties. You may want to wait until Antero reaches out to you first.
Negotiating position: If you find you own the interest, don’t approach the drilling operator asking for a lease. Let them come to you, or you lose leverage on bonus and royalty terms.
It’s hard to recommend Petroleum Landmen or attorneys on this forum. May need to research finding a landman or oil and gas attorneys for West Virginia.