"OGM" stands for Oil, Gas & Mineral rights. If you have seen the term on a deed, a lease, or an offer letter, this guide explains exactly what OGM rights are, the bundle of rights they include, and what they mean if you own — or want to sell — them.
OGM is shorthand for Oil, Gas & Mineral rights. It refers to ownership of the oil, gas, and other minerals beneath a tract of land, together with the legal rights that come with that ownership. You will see "OGM" used on deeds, leases, title documents, and offer letters as a quick way to describe the mineral estate.
In most oil and gas states, OGM rights can be severed from the surface and owned separately. That means one party can own the land you can see and walk on, while a different party owns the oil, gas, and minerals underneath.
Owning OGM rights is best understood as owning a bundle of rights rather than a single thing — and those rights can be split apart and conveyed individually.
Full OGM ownership typically carries each of these rights:
Executive right: the right to negotiate and sign a lease
Bonus: upfront payment when a lease is signed
Delay rentals: payments that keep a lease alive before drilling
Royalty: a share of revenue once production begins
Right to develop: the right to explore for and produce minerals
Surface access: reasonable use of the surface for development
Because these rights can be separated, an owner can convey royalty income while keeping the executive right, or vice versa. That is how narrower interests like NPRIs and ORRIs are created.
It helps to picture the property in two layers:
Ownership of the land at the surface — the ground, buildings, crops, and everyday use of the property.
Ownership of the oil, gas, and minerals below the surface, plus the right to develop or lease them.
When the two are severed, the mineral estate is generally the dominant estate — it has reasonable rights to use the surface as needed to develop the minerals.
OGM ownership is the broadest interest. These related interests are carved out of it:
| Interest | Executive Right (Can Lease) | Receives Royalty | Bears Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| OGM / Mineral Interest | Yes | Yes | No (royalty is cost-free) |
| Royalty Interest | No | Yes | No |
| NPRI | No | Yes | No |
| ORRI | No | Yes (tied to a lease) | No |
Dig deeper with our guides on NPRIs, ORRIs, and Mineral Rights vs. Royalties.
A few documents and signals usually tell the story:
Your deed: a mineral/OGM deed conveys these rights; a surface-only deed reserves them to someone else
County clerk records: show prior conveyances and reservations
Royalty checks or division orders: strong evidence you own an interest
Lease offers: operators usually contact owners of record
Step-by-step help: How to Find Out If You Own Mineral Rights.
OGM rights can be sold in whole or in part. Whether they are producing or not, a sale to a direct buyer generally means confirming what you own, a title and production review, a written offer, and a closing where the interest transfers by a recorded deed. A reputable buyer covers title and closing costs and never charges upfront fees.
Learn the full process in How to Sell Mineral Rights, and see Companies That Buy Mineral Rights for how to choose a buyer.
OGM stands for Oil, Gas & Mineral rights. It refers to ownership of the oil, gas, and other minerals beneath a piece of land, along with the bundle of rights that comes with that ownership: the right to explore and develop, the right to lease, and the right to receive bonus and royalty income. OGM rights can be owned separately from the surface of the land.
Surface rights are ownership of the land itself, what is on top of the ground. OGM (oil, gas & mineral) rights are ownership of the minerals beneath the surface. When these are severed, one person can own the surface while another owns the OGM rights. The mineral estate is generally dominant, meaning it has reasonable rights to use the surface to develop the minerals.
OGM ownership is a bundle that typically includes the executive right (to lease), the right to a lease bonus, delay rentals, royalty income from production, the right to explore and develop, and reasonable surface access for development. These rights can be divided and conveyed separately, which is how interests like non-participating royalties and overriding royalties are created.
Not exactly. Full OGM (mineral) ownership includes the executive right to lease plus royalty income. A royalty interest is the right to a share of production revenue without the cost or executive rights. A non-participating royalty interest (NPRI) and an overriding royalty interest (ORRI) are narrower interests carved out of the broader bundle.
Start with your deed; a mineral or OGM deed conveys these rights, while a surface-only deed reserves them to someone else. You can also review county clerk records, prior leases, division orders, and royalty statements. If you receive royalty checks or lease offers, you very likely own OGM rights in that area.
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer of oil, gas, and mineral interests across 33 states. We provide a clear written offer, explain our valuation, and never pressure you to decide.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Every situation is unique. Consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your circumstances.
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