CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS WITH NORTH DAKOTA MINERALS
Own minerals in the Bakken Shale, Three Forks, or Williston Basin? We help California residents sell inherited North Dakota mineral rights. No travel required.
Get Your Free ValuationThe Bakken Shale oil boom transformed North Dakota from a quiet agricultural state into America's second-largest oil producer. Many families with roots in North Dakota—homesteaders, farmers, and their descendants—suddenly found themselves owning valuable mineral rights.
For California residents who inherited these minerals, the reality can be complicated:
Royalty statements filled with unfamiliar well names and production terms
Division orders and lease documents requiring attention
Multi-state tax filing requirements
No practical way to visit or monitor your minerals
The property is an abstraction—you may not even know where it is
If you're a California resident dealing with distant North Dakota minerals you never expected to own, selling for a lump sum is a valid option worth exploring.
McKenzie, Williams, Mountrail, and Dunn counties form the heart of North Dakota oil production. These counties have the highest concentration of wells and most active drilling programs.
The Three Forks sits beneath the Bakken and adds additional recoverable oil. Many wells now target both formations, increasing the value of minerals in the area.
Divide, Burke, Stark, and other western North Dakota counties have less activity but still contain producing wells and prospective acreage.
While the Bakken is concentrated in western North Dakota, we evaluate minerals throughout the state. Even non-producing minerals may have some value depending on location.
Extreme distance: 1,800-2,100 miles from California
No personal connection: Never visited North Dakota
Declining wells: Bakken wells decline fast initially
Tax complexity: Multi-state filing burden
Estate simplification: Don't burden heirs
Immediate cash: Use for California needs
Bakken Reality: Bakken wells typically have steep initial decline rates—production can drop 50-70% in the first year. While wells continue producing for many years, peak royalty payments often occur early. Many owners prefer a lump sum now rather than gradually declining checks over decades.
Share what you know about your North Dakota minerals. County, legal description, any royalty statements or lease documents. Even limited information helps—we can research from there.
We research North Dakota Industrial Commission records, county records, and production data. We verify what you own and what it's worth. No cost, no obligation.
We present a written offer explaining our valuation methodology. Take time to consider—no pressure to accept.
Sign documents at any California notary. We handle recording in North Dakota and wire funds to your bank. You never need to travel.
Find out what your North Dakota minerals are worth. No obligation, no travel required.
Get Your Free ValuationYes, you can sell North Dakota mineral rights from California without traveling. The entire transaction is handled remotely. You sign documents at any California notary, and we handle recording with the appropriate North Dakota county recorder.
Most out-of-state owners inherit North Dakota minerals from family members who homesteaded in the state or purchased farmland that included mineral rights. During the Bakken boom (2008-2014), many families discovered they owned valuable minerals that had been dormant for generations.
The Bakken Shale is a massive oil formation covering western North Dakota and eastern Montana. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing unlocked this resource starting around 2008, creating a major oil boom. The Three Forks formation beneath the Bakken added additional value. These formations have produced billions of barrels of oil.
Yes, though values have moderated from peak boom levels. Many wells continue producing for decades. Producing minerals still have significant value, and even non-producing minerals in prospective areas may be worth something. The value depends on your specific location, production status, and lease terms.
North Dakota withholds state income tax from oil and gas royalties paid to non-residents. As a California resident, you'll also owe California taxes on this income but may claim a credit for taxes paid to North Dakota. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult with qualified professionals for specific questions about your situation.