NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Dear Mr. Alsup,
The Texas Railroad Commission is the state agency responsible for regulating the oil-and-gas industry in Texas. They have a great Web site with all the information you need, but it is not “user friendly.” I recommend calling them in Austin and asking them how to navigate to the maps that show the drilling activity in your area and how to navigate to see the production levels.
As far as the tax documents go, if the prior owner of your tract was foreclosed upon, any mineral rights they owned are now vested in you. And if you are receiving property-tax documents for their royalty valuation, then your property is in a drilling unit with a producing well. As of January 1, 2010, you will be required to pay the property taxes on your pro-rated value of the well. So contact the producer immediately to alert them to a change of ownership in the property. Probably all they need from you is a copy of your deed and a W-9 Form.
Sincerely,
Philip Wynne