# Willis Branch Field Unit Mineral Rights in Franklin County, Mississippi

## TL;DR

The Willis Branch field in Franklin County, Mississippi is a mature oil-producing unit operated by Durango Operating with 6 historic wells dating to 1967 and recent monthly production of 520 barrels (January 2026). As a long-life Mississippi waterflood/EOR operation, the field represents the type of mature production profile common in Mississippi's oil landscape, where the top 20 producing units collectively generate about 237,000 barrels per month—roughly one-third the scale of Texas's top 20 units.

## Key Takeaways

- **Willis Branch field is located in Franklin County, Mississippi and operated by Durango Operating**, which also operates the historically significant Cranfield field (Adams County CO2 flood and SECARB sequestration site)
- **The field has 6 historic wells with the oldest spud date of 1967**, representing 59+ years of continuous oil production
- **Recent monthly production stands at 520 barrels of oil** as of January 2026, reflecting typical long-tail production from mature Mississippi operations
- **Mississippi's top 20 producing units collectively produce approximately 237,000 barrels per month**, about one-third the production scale of Texas's top 20 units
- **Many Mississippi EOR fields depend on the Denbury Jackson Dome CO2 supply system**, making CO2 supply constraints a critical factor in long-term reserve life projections
- **Mineral interests on the field are commonly inherited multiple generations deep**, with original lease bonuses often paid in the 1940s-1960s era and current owners spread across multiple states
- **Direct buyers typically value these interests using 3-8% annual decline rates and 15-30+ year remaining reserve life projections** for actively-maintained EOR units
- **Discount rates for stable Mississippi unitized cash flows typically range from 9-13%**, factoring in operator quality and long-term CO2 supply economics

## Page Highlights

**Field Overview**: Willis Branch field in Franklin County, Mississippi has operated since 1967 with 6 wells currently producing 520 barrels of oil monthly under Durango Operating's management, exemplifying the long-life production profile characteristic of mature Mississippi oil fields.

**Mississippi Production Context**: Mississippi's mature-field landscape is dominated by waterflood and CO2 enhanced oil recovery operations, with many fields supplied by the Denbury Jackson Dome CO2 system. The state's top 20 producing units generate roughly 237,000 bbl/month—approximately one-third the scale of Texas's top 20 units.

**Mineral Interest Types**: Mineral ownership on Willis Branch field typically includes producing royalty interests (tract contribution to monthly revenue), non-producing mineral interests (fee mineral outside active zones), overriding royalty interests (carved from working interests), and non-participating royalty interests (royalty with no leasing/development rights).

**Valuation Factors**: Direct buyers evaluate Willis Branch interests using discounted cash flow models incorporating 3-8% annual decline rates, 15-30+ year reserve life for maintained EOR units, operator quality assessment, CO2 supply constraints from Jackson Dome-fed systems, and 9-13% discount rates for stable unitized cash flows.

**Inheritance and Ownership**: Many Willis Branch mineral interests have been inherited multiple generations deep with original leases from the 1940s-1960s. Current owners are frequently spread across multiple states, requiring remote transaction handling including deed signing before out-of-state notaries and recording with Franklin County clerk.

## Related Topics

- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (internal link referenced)
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (internal link referenced)
- [Should I Sell?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (internal link referenced)
- [Beginner's Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (internal link referenced)
- [Getting a Fair Price](https://www.buckheadenergy.com) (internal link referenced)

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**Ready to get a fair offer?** Start your free mineral rights valuation at https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell