A lease will describe a tract of land containing XX gross mineral acres. Most people only own a fraction of the minerals because the interest has been subdivided over the years. For example A owns 100 acres and sold to B and C, each getting 1/2 of 100 acres (50 net mineral acres each). B gives to his 5 children, so each owns 1/5 of 1/2 x 100 = 10 NMA. Whether you are the mineral owner lessor or the lessee (working interest owner), you need to know the NMA owned by lessor. The operator should have a drilling title opinion which details the various royalty and working interest owners and their interests which will total to 100% of each well.
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