Email your questions to stf@franklinlawtx.com

Oil and Gas law is rooted in land ownership and Real Estate principles.  The ownership of oil and gas interests is traced back to the sovereign which in Texas typically means either the government of Spain in original land grants to settlers, the Republic of Texas when Texas was an independent country, or the state of Texas after Texas joined the United States.  From these ancient documents the mineral interests are sold, inherited, foreclosed upon, used as collateral in business transactions, and otherwise conveyed to the current owners.  Tracing title in Texas is part state history, part business, and part genealogy.  A good oil and gas lawyer has to completely understand family law; probate, trusts, wills, and estates; complex business transactions; real estate law; and, contract law.

Clients call me to resolve the following issues:

• Mineral rights

• Determining royalties

• Royalty disputes

• Negotiate lease agreements for oil and gas

• Draft indemnification clauses and agreements

• Pooling agreements

• An operators Duty to Market

• Drainage issues

• Surface agreements

• Water rights