We are trying to find out what is going on with a well it is the Cricket 439-3H well in Lipscomb County, the well is now operated by Mid States Petroleum and has not produced for about a year, we have mineral rights to the west half of that section, unable to get any info from Mid States, they won’t respond to my inquiries.
What are our options at this point?
Thank you!
Look at your lease to see the number of days without production before expiration, which is usually 60 or 90 days without production or work on the well to try to re-establish production, e.g., workover. The well has reported 0 bbl and 0 mcf since October 2014. Send a certified letter to your lessee noting that the lease appears to have expired, citing the lease provision and over 90 days without production, unless the lessee can provide detailed data demonstrating that the lease is still in effect. If not, then request that the lessee record a release of the lease. Do not state that the lease has expired, only that it appears the lease has expired. Send the letter by certified mail to be able to prove that you made the demand for information and that the lessee received your letter. Generally, a lessee will respond to a certified letter as it indicates that you are serious. The letter needs to go to your lessee, which may or may not be the operator.
Tennis, thanks for the quick response. Our lease states 90 days to expire. You seem very knowledgeable about this circumstance. We really appreciate your expertise on this matter and we will try the approach that you have suggested. Do you think that drilling will pick up again in this area? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge on this subject and have a blessed day!