Need to have 100% of mineral rights leased

Oil and Gas Leasing Help
1

New to this board.

Just found out that my brother, sister and I have inherited fractional mineral rights (looks like about 25% of the minerals) along with other members of our family (the other 75% of the minerals) on two parcels of land in La Salle County from my great grandfather. This is all new to us, but sounds promising - there are 3 new wells going in very close to the property where we have the minerals. Most of the family is close by and easy to contact, however, there are a couple that are essentially unknown to us. Question is - Do all mineral holders have to agree to lease their mineral rights prior to the start of drilling?

Thanks

Tom

2

Thanks Cliff. To follow-up, if 90% of the mineral owners agree to lease their rights to a company and no one can find the owners of the other 10%, then any proceeds from the well would be distributed to the 90% in accordance with their lease agreements; what happens to the proceeds from the other 10%?

Thanks

Tom

3

Thanks again Cliff. I appreciate you sharing your expertise.

Tom