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.

Dormant Mineral Rights: State Laws and Your Options

What Are Dormant Mineral Rights?

Dormant mineral rights are severed mineral interests that have seen no activity for an extended period. When minerals are separated from surface ownership and then sit unused for decades—no leasing, no production, no tax payments—they may be considered "dormant."

Several states have enacted Dormant Mineral Acts that allow surface owners to potentially reclaim these unused minerals under certain conditions.

Why Dormant Mineral Acts Exist

Minerals were often severed from surface ownership generations ago. Over time:

Mineral owners may have died without heirs knowing about the interest

Ownership records become unclear or lost

Small interests become scattered among many unknown parties

Surface owners cannot develop or sell their land effectively

Dormant Mineral Acts attempt to reunite minerals with surface ownership when mineral owners have essentially abandoned their interest through decades of non-use.

How Dormant Mineral Acts Work

1Dormancy Period

The mineral interest must be unused for a specified period—typically 20 years or more depending on the state.

2Notice Requirements

The surface owner must provide notice to the mineral owner (if they can be found) and typically publish notice in local newspapers.

3Preservation Period

The mineral owner has a window of time (often 60-180 days) to file a statement preserving their interest.

4Termination or Preservation

If the mineral owner doesn't respond, the interest may be terminated and revert to the surface owner.

States With Dormant Mineral Legislation

Several states have enacted some form of dormant mineral legislation, including:

Indiana

Ohio

Michigan

Illinois

Kentucky

Pennsylvania

Georgia

Others

Important: Major oil and gas states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana generally do NOT have dormant mineral acts. Minerals in these states remain with the owner indefinitely.

Protecting Your Mineral Rights

If you own minerals in a state with a Dormant Mineral Act:

File a preservation statement: Record a notice in the county to preserve your interest

Respond to notices: If you receive a dormancy notice, respond within the deadline

Keep records current: Maintain accurate contact information in county records

Pay taxes: If minerals are taxed separately, keep taxes current

Document activity: Any leasing activity helps demonstrate the interest isn't abandoned

Consider Selling Dormant Minerals

Many owners of unused minerals choose to sell because:

Eliminates dormancy concerns: No more worrying about preservation requirements

Converts to cash: Turn an inactive asset into immediate funds

Simplifies estate: Avoid passing complex mineral ownership to heirs

No ongoing management: Eliminate the need to track notices and deadlines

Own Unused Mineral Rights?

Get a free valuation to understand your options.

Request Your Free Valuation

Frequently Asked Questions

Dormant mineral rights are severed mineral interests that have had no activity—no leasing, production, payment of taxes, or other use—for an extended period, often 20 years or more. Some states have laws allowing surface owners to reclaim dormant minerals if certain conditions are met.

A Dormant Mineral Act is state legislation that allows surface owners to reclaim mineral rights that have been unused for a specified period. These laws typically require the surface owner to follow specific notice procedures and give the mineral owner an opportunity to preserve their interest before it can be terminated.

States with some form of dormant mineral legislation include Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and several others. Each state's law has different requirements for the dormancy period, notice requirements, and procedures for preserving or terminating interests.

To protect your minerals, you should record a notice of preservation or claim in the county records, respond to any notices you receive, keep your contact information current, pay property taxes if assessed separately, and maintain records of any leasing activity. Selling your minerals is another option that eliminates dormancy concerns.

Yes, as long as you still own the minerals, you can sell them even if they've been unused. Selling eliminates concerns about dormancy laws and converts an inactive asset into immediate cash. Buyers understand dormant minerals and can evaluate them appropriately.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Dormant mineral laws vary significantly by state. Consult with a qualified attorney for specific questions about your mineral rights.