# Top and Bottom Leases
**URL:** https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960
**Category:** Oil and Gas Leasing Help
**Created:** [November 16, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960 "2016-11-16T21:21:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@M\_Baxter](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/M_Baxter)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/1 "2016-11-16T21:21:15Z")
Currently have oil lease below 8500 ft and production. Top lease, executed 1980, above 8500 ft set to expire due to lack of production. Does this mean the top can be released?
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### Author:  [@Charles\_Emery\_Tooke\_III](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Charles_Emery_Tooke_III)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/2 "2016-11-17T20:41:36Z")
Once the Lease from the surface to 8,500 feet expires, then yes.
I can be released, which actually means that the company that held it signs a Release of Lease on it to cure your title. And it can be Re-Leased to a new company.
The word is a pain.
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### Author:  [@Gary\_L\_Hutchinson](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Gary_L_Hutchinson)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/3 "2016-11-17T20:46:09Z")
M Baxter,
You are one smart dude or dudette.
Check the terms of the lower lease for preferential rights to lease the upper zones. If none, request a recordable release from the upper lessee/operator, record it, and wait for the action to begin.
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### Author:  [@M\_Baxter](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/M_Baxter)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/4 "2016-11-17T21:53:13Z")
Thank you for the information. Yea!
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### Author:  [@M\_Baxter](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/M_Baxter)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/5 "2016-11-17T21:54:26Z")
Thank you for the information, especially about the preferential rights. I will check my lease for that info. M Baxter
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### Author:  [@Charles\_Emery\_Tooke\_III](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Charles_Emery_Tooke_III)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/6 "2016-11-17T22:00:26Z")
Where is your property? I have friends that lease lands.
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### Author:  [@M\_Baxter](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/M_Baxter)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/7 "2016-11-17T22:02:48Z")
Burleson County.
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### Author:  [@Charles\_Emery\_Tooke\_III](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Charles_Emery_Tooke_III)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/8 "2016-11-17T22:05:57Z")
Post the legal description and I should be able to send you a map and table of who is leasing around your lands.
And don’t demand a release from the current lessee until after the existing lease expires.
As a matter of fact, let the new lessee request it. Less aggravation for you.
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### Author:  [@M\_Baxter](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/M_Baxter)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/9 "2016-11-18T18:54:43Z")
OK. Thanks for the info. I don’t have the legal handy. In safety deposit box. I’ve been told that after a well is plugged, the current lessee has 90 days to drill…
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### Author:  [@Charles\_Emery\_Tooke\_III](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Charles_Emery_Tooke_III)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2016, 7:47pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/10 "2016-11-18T19:47:32Z")
If you know the Surface Owner’s name or the Operator and name of the Well, I can look it up that way.
Enjoy your weekend - hope your team wins!
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### Author:  [@M\_Baxter](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/M_Baxter)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/11 "2016-11-18T19:51:51Z")
I need some time on this. But, thanks for your interest.
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### Author:  [@Charles\_Emery\_Tooke\_III](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Charles_Emery_Tooke_III)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/12 "2016-11-18T19:54:26Z")
I’m good. And not buying or leasing.
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### Author:  [@system](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/top-and-bottom-leases/3960/13 "2018-08-14T22:55:51Z")