How much are my mineral rights worth?

The value of mineral rights depends on several factors including location, production history, proven reserves, current market prices, and lease terms. Our experienced team provides free mineral rights appraisal using industry-leading valuation methods. Factors we consider include nearby well production, geological surveys, and current commodity prices.

How do I sell my mineral rights?

Selling mineral rights involves several steps: 1) Get a competitive mineral rights offer, 2) Review your deed and title, 3) Obtain multiple offers from qualified mineral buyers, 4) Negotiate terms and closing timeline, 5) Complete title work and documentation, 6) Close the transaction. Buckhead Energy streamlines this process with quick closings and competitive offers.

What is the best company to sell mineral rights to?

The best mineral buying company offers fair market value, transparent pricing, quick closings, and professional service. Look for companies with proven track records, positive landowner reviews, and expertise in your specific basin or region. Buckhead Energy has been acquiring mineral rights since 2007, with successful transactions across 33 states.

Should I sell or lease my mineral rights?

The decision to sell or lease mineral rights depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions. Selling provides immediate cash with no ongoing management, while leasing offers potential long-term income but requires active management. Consider factors like current commodity prices, development potential, tax implications, and your need for immediate capital.

What are mineral rights?

Mineral rights are the legal rights to extract and profit from minerals beneath the surface of land, including oil, natural gas, coal, and other valuable substances. These rights can be owned separately from surface rights. Mineral rights ownership entitles you to lease payments, royalties from production, and the right to sell these assets.

How long does it take to sell mineral rights?

The timeline to sell mineral rights typically ranges from 30-90 days, depending on title complexity and documentation requirements. At Buckhead Energy, we streamline the process: initial evaluation and offer within 7-14 days, title review 2-4 weeks, and closing within 30-45 days of accepted offer.

Bakken Mineral Rights 2026: North Dakota's Premier Oil Play

The Bakken Shale: America's Oil Giant

The Bakken Shale transformed North Dakota from an agricultural state into one of America's top oil producers. Spanning the Williston Basin across western North Dakota, eastern Montana, and into Saskatchewan, the Bakken formation holds billions of barrels of recoverable oil.

For mineral rights owners in the Bakken, this legacy of production creates unique opportunities. Whether you inherited minerals from family homesteads or purchased them as investments, understanding your Bakken minerals helps you make informed decisions about holding or selling.

Key Bakken Counties

North Dakota Core Counties

McKenzie County: Most active drilling, highest production

Williams County: Williston area, sustained activity

Mountrail County: Strong production history

Dunn County: Active horizontal drilling

Divide County: Northern extension

Montana Bakken Counties

Richland County: Active Montana drilling

Roosevelt County: Eastern Montana production

Sheridan County: Exploration activity

Daniels County: Northern tier

What Makes the Bakken Unique

Light Sweet Crude

The Bakken produces light, sweet crude oil that refineries prize for its quality. This premium product historically commands favorable pricing compared to heavier crudes.

Established Infrastructure

After more than 15 years of development, the Bakken has mature pipeline and processing infrastructure. This reduces transportation costs and supports ongoing production economics.

Long Horizontal Laterals

Modern Bakken wells feature extended lateral lengths, sometimes exceeding two miles. These long laterals maximize reservoir contact and production from each wellbore.

Three Forks Potential

Below the Bakken sits the Three Forks formation, providing additional drilling targets. Many Bakken mineral owners have rights to both formations, creating stacked pay potential.

Bakken Production History

The Bakken's modern era began around 2006-2008 when horizontal drilling unlocked the formation. Production grew rapidly:

2008: Approximately 100,000 barrels per day

2012: Crossed 500,000 barrels per day

2014-2019: Peaked near 1.5 million barrels per day

2020-Present: Stabilized production with focused drilling

This production history means many Bakken minerals have 10+ years of revenue data, making valuations more straightforward than in newer plays.

Why Bakken Owners Sell

Mature production: Wells past peak output

Estate planning: Simplify for heirs

Distance: Many owners live out of state

Retirement funding: Convert to liquid assets

Tax planning: Capital gains advantages

Diversification: Reduce concentration

Own Bakken Mineral Rights?

Get a free, no-obligation valuation from experienced mineral buyers who understand the Bakken.

Request Your Free Valuation

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bakken Shale is a massive oil-bearing formation spanning western North Dakota, eastern Montana, and into Canada. It's one of the largest oil discoveries in U.S. history, with technically recoverable reserves estimated in the billions of barrels. The formation sits at depths of 8,000-10,000 feet and was unlocked by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

McKenzie County is the most active and valuable, followed by Williams, Mountrail, and Dunn counties in North Dakota. In Montana, Richland and Roosevelt counties see significant Bakken activity. These core counties command premium valuations due to proven reserves and active drilling programs.

Bakken production grew dramatically from 2008-2019, making North Dakota the second-largest oil producing state. Production peaked around 1.5 million barrels per day. While activity has moderated, the Bakken remains a significant producer with ongoing drilling in core areas and continued interest from mineral buyers.

Bakken mineral rights are unique due to the formation's depth, the prevalence of long horizontal laterals, and North Dakota's mineral-friendly legal environment. The state's extraction tax and regulatory framework are well-established. Many Bakken minerals have been producing for over a decade, providing clear production histories.

Many Bakken mineral owners find 2026 an opportune time to sell. Core areas still command strong interest from buyers, and established production histories make valuations straightforward. Owners approaching retirement or wanting to simplify estates often choose to convert minerals to cash while buyer demand remains strong.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Mineral rights values vary based on numerous factors. Consult with qualified professionals before making decisions about your mineral rights.