# Lower Tuscaloosa Marine Shale in Mississippi

**TL;DR:** The Lower Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (LTMS) is an Upper Cretaceous unconventional shale play in central and southwest Mississippi that emerged around 2010. Located at depths of 11,000-15,000 feet below the Tuscaloosa Sandstone, the play has seen limited development compared to other U.S. shale formations due to challenging reservoir characteristics, with activity concentrated in Amite, Wilkinson, Pike, and Adams counties.

## Key Takeaways

- The LTMS is an organic-rich Upper Cretaceous shale formation positioned stratigraphically below the Tuscaloosa Sandstone and above the Eutaw Formation
- Drilling depths typically range from 11,000 to 15,000 feet true vertical depth across producing counties in central and southwest Mississippi
- Historical drilling activity has concentrated in four counties: Amite, Wilkinson, Pike, and Adams
- The play has experienced slower development than other U.S. unconventional formations due to challenging reservoir characteristics
- Mineral interests are commonly inherited across multiple generations, with valuations dependent on depth, decline rates, and operator maintenance strategies
- Selected operators continue horizontal drilling operations despite limited industry-wide adoption
- Out-of-state mineral owners can complete sales entirely remotely through qualified buyers like Buckhead Energy

## Page Highlights

**Play Overview:** The LTMS represents an emerging unconventional horizontal drilling target in Mississippi's Salt Basin that began development approximately 2010, though adoption has been more limited than other major U.S. shale plays.

**Geological Setting:** The formation sits in a specific stratigraphic position between the overlying Tuscaloosa Sandstone and underlying Eutaw Formation, with Upper Cretaceous age organic-rich shale as the target reservoir.

**Geographic Extent:** Production is geographically focused in four counties in central and southwest Mississippi, representing the core of horizontal drilling activity.

**Mineral Rights:** Ownership typically passes through multiple generations of inheritance, with valuation frameworks dependent on specific reservoir characteristics and operator development plans.

**Sales Process:** Buckhead Energy purchases mineral and royalty interests across the Mississippi Salt Basin formation stack, with remote transaction capability for non-resident owners.

## Related Topics

- [Mississippi CO2 Floods Overview](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (referenced for broader Mississippi formation context)
- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (related guide)
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (valuation guide)
- [Should I Sell?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (decision framework)
- [Beginner's Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (educational resource)
- [Getting a Fair Price](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (pricing guide)

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