# Lawrence Field Mineral Rights — Lawrence County, Illinois Basin

**TL;DR:** The Lawrence Field in Lawrence County, Illinois, is one of the longest-running U.S. waterflood operations and a historical CO2 EOR pilot site. Producing from Mississippian-age reservoirs (Cypress, Aux Vases, McClosky), the field exhibits the long-tail royalty profile typical of mature Illinois Basin operations—small monthly checks over decades. Many mineral interests date to early-1900s leases and have been inherited multiple generations deep, with owners often scattered across states.

## Key Takeaways

- **Lawrence Field is one of the longest-running U.S. waterflood operations**, with continuous production since the early 1900s and historical CO2 EOR pilot programs
- **Production comes from Mississippian-age reservoirs** including Cypress Sandstone, Aux Vases Sandstone, and McClosky Limestone
- **Typical annual decline rates range 3–7%** with remaining reserve life often extending 15–30+ years on actively maintained waterflood units
- **Many ownership interests are inherited multiple generations deep**, with original lease bonuses paid in the early 1900s and heirs frequently spread across multiple states
- **Valuation uses discounted cash flow analysis** incorporating decline rates, operator quality, remaining reserves, and potential CCS/45Q optionality where Mt. Simon Sandstone underlies producing zones
- **Indiana's 20-year Dormant Mineral Act creates urgency** for absentee owners on cross-border Illinois Basin fields
- **Out-of-state owners can sell remotely** through processes that include free written offers, deeds signed in the owner's home state, and same-day wire proceeds upon recording
- **Select Illinois Basin acreage may have carbon sequestration potential** beneath producing zones in areas near the Wabash Valley Resources CCS hub

## Page Highlights

**Field Characteristics:** Lawrence Field is a mature Illinois Basin waterflood operation with multiple long-tenured private operators, continuous oil production since the early 1900s, and a historical CO2 EOR pilot program.

**Producing Formations:** The field produces from Mississippian-age Illinois Basin reservoirs—Cypress Sandstone, Aux Vases Sandstone, and McClosky Limestone.

**Mineral Interest Types:** Ownership typically includes producing royalty interests, non-producing mineral interests in tracts outside active zones, overriding royalty interests (ORRI) carved from working interests, and non-participating royalty interests (NPRI) with no leasing rights.

**Valuation Inputs:** Direct buyers use discounted cash flow analysis incorporating 3–7% annual decline rates, 15–30+ year reserve life, operator quality, 9–13% discount rates for stable waterflood cash flows, and potential CCS/45Q value where Mt. Simon sequestration zones underlie production.

**Ownership Complexity:** Many interests date to early-1900s leases with heirs spread across multiple states; Indiana's 20-year Dormant Mineral Act affects cross-border fields.

**Sales Process:** Buckhead Energy handles remote transactions with free written offers, deeds signed before notaries in the owner's state, recording with Lawrence County clerk, and wire proceeds on recording day.

**Regional Context:** Lawrence Field is one of multiple major Illinois Basin waterflood operations alongside Clay City Consolidated, Salem Consolidated, Loudon, New Harmony Consolidated, and other long-producing fields.

## Related Topics

- [Illinois Basin — The Definitive 2026 Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/illinois-basin)
- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/how-to-sell-mineral-rights)
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/what-are-my-minerals-worth)
- [Should I Sell My Mineral Rights?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/should-i-sell)
- [Mineral Rights Beginner's Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/beginners-guide)
- [Getting a Fair Price for Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/getting-a-fair-price)

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**About Buckhead Energy:** Buckhead Energy is a direct mineral rights buyer with 18+ years of experience acquiring producing royalties and non-producing mineral interests across major U.S. oil and gas basins. We provide fair, transparent offers with fast closing and handle all transaction details remotely for out-of-state owners.

Ready to explore your options? [Get your free mineral rights valuation](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell) — no obligation, no fees.