The Mineral Rights Podcast: Mineral Rights | Royalties | Oil and Gas | Matt Sands

Happy New Year!  In this month's news episode, we cover several important developments affecting mineral rights owners and the broader oil and gas industry (of course the elephant is the room is the capture of Nicolas Maduro but that happened after we recorded this episode, so stay tuned to next month's news episode for our analysis of those events and how they could affect the oil markets).  This...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most overlooked aspects of mineral ownership: organization and communication with your heirs. Whether you have a small mineral interest or manage a complex portfolio across multiple states, proper organization isn't just about neat filing—it's about preserving your family's financial future and preventing costly mistakes after you're gone. We explore practical...

In this episode we answer questions submitted by @josephlong2991, Maria, Stephen, @robwilliams3602, Susan, Bob, and Wesley ranging from finding shut-in wells in Texas using the Railroad Commission's inactive well aging report, advice on ownership structures and why S Corporations are not common with mineral ownership, payment disputes and division order challenges, royalty payment verification, po...

In this month's news episode, we examine the latest developments affecting mineral rights owners as 2025 draws to a close. The discussion centers on how major geopolitical events and infrastructure developments are shaping energy markets heading into 2026. Natural gas continues its strong performance driven by surging demand from data centers and LNG exports, while oil prices face downward pressur...

In this episode, we review probate requirements for inherited mineral rights: when they're needed, multi-state complications, and how proven strategies like trusts or LLCs can help you avoid them entirely. As always, this information is being shared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or tax advice.  Be sure to contact a qualified attorney to help you m...

Many mineral owners face a common challenge: they have substantial wealth tied up in mineral rights, but their monthly royalty income has declined significantly as wells age and production drops. In this episode, we explore when it makes strategic sense to sell portions of your mineral portfolio to create more stable cash flow, reduce concentration risk, and diversify into other asset classes like...

In this episode, we answer questions submitted by Roy, Nancy, Donna, @MadamPickles (via YouTube), Tom, Mark, and Brenda.  From the long-term outlook for Permian Basin production, the complexities of overriding royalty interests, strategies for dealing with offers to purchase mineral rights, understanding when to expect the first royalty check, and navigating the title research process to trace inh...

In this episode, we dive into what is driving the recent downward pressure on oil prices. The Energy Information Administration released their October short-term energy outlook with a projection that caught our attention. They're forecasting that oil prices could fall to $47.77 per barrel in 2026—a 26% decrease from recent levels. That price sits below the $50 per barrel mark that industry analyst...

In this episode, we discuss the latest developments in the mineral rights and energy world. From an interesting battle over royalties under the Midland, Texas airport, OPEC plans to potentially increase oil output despite demand forecasts weakening, and the latest  developments in the Uinta Basin Railway project in Utah. As always, we wrap up with an analysis of the latest rig count numbers. Links...

In this episode, we dive into what's driving natural gas prices higher and what mineral and royalty owners can expect in 2026 and beyond. We explore how two major forces are reshaping the market: the explosive growth of AI data centers that require massive amounts of electricity, and the continued expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to meet global demand.  We break this all down into...

In this live episode recorded at the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) National Convention in Oklahoma City in October 2025, we answered several live & unscripted questions from other NARO Members.  The recording quality isn't perfect but I think you will get a lot of value out of this episode as we deal with some real questions related to working with operators to learn about shut-in...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most unique and complex aspects of Texas oil and gas development: allocation wells and the state's unique approach to pooling mineral interests. Unlike most oil-producing states that have robust forced pooling statutes, Texas takes a different approach that gives mineral owners more control but creates significant complexity in how royalties are calculated...

In this month's news episode, we explore "out of this world" developments in energy and mining that could reshape the future of mineral rights. The conversation ranges from asteroid mining to the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence data centers in West Texas, offering mineral and royalty owners fresh perspectives on emerging opportunities in the energy sector. As always, links to the...

In this episode, we celebrate reaching the milestone of over 300 episodes of the Mineral Rights Podcast!  In this special retrospective episode, we reveal your top 10 favorite episodes on website analytics and download numbers over the past 8 years.  Join us as we count down the top ten most popular episodes that have helped YOU, the listener, navigate this complex world of minerals and royalties....

We're back to answer your questions in our 301st episode.  We tackle diverse listener questions ranging from lithium royalty rates, how to obtain marketable title, to complex Texas pooling regulations, to a success story that led a listener to discover new permitted wells on their minerals. The episode emphasizes the importance of thorough research using state commission websites, understanding th...

In this episode, the co-founder of Pebble REI and host of "Land Investing Business Secrets" podcast reveals how his platform now serves both land investors and mineral rights companies. Discover the striking parallels between these two real estate niches, from direct mail campaigns to county records research. Jessey shares his unconventional start (including closing his first deal on the toilet vi...

This episode covers several critical developments affecting mineral rights owners, from post-production deductions from royalty checks in North Dakotato Wyoming's controversial proposal for reclaiming abandoned mineral rights. We also discuss the recent Cactus Water Services Texas Supreme Court ruling on produced water ownership and how it provides clarity around hydrocarbons contained in produced...

In this episode, we provide an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) National Convention in Oklahoma City from September 30 to October 3, 2025. This year's event at the Omni Hotel promises to be a comprehensive educational experiences for mineral and royalty owners, featuring sessions on mineral valuation, advanced lease negotiation strategies, and emer...

In this episode, we break down the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) and what they mean for mineral and royalty owners. While this behemoth 940-page legislation touches on a lot of different areas, we focused on the provisions that could directly or indirectly impact our listeners. It's no surprise that this bill represents a complete reversal from the previous administrati...

In this episode, we tackle eight detailed questions from mineral rights owners across the country, including Stephen, Tracy, Kathy, Caesura, Linda, Julie, Nancy, and Tim. The episode covers complex topics ranging from pooling versus allocation wells in Texas, when minerals are at their peak value, to strategies for avoiding common scams targeting mineral rights owners. We provide practical, action...

In this episode we discuss the latest oil & gas and mineral rights news for August of 2025.  From an oil market characterized by uncertainty and volatility, the latest outlook for precious metals, and what the future holds for fossil fuels (you might be surprised by the answer), we explore how geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty are creating ripple effects throughout the energy sector. ...

Mineral and royalty owners face unique cybersecurity risks that most people never consider. From fraudulent emails requesting banking changes to sophisticated scams targeting royalty payments, cybercriminals increasingly view mineral owners as attractive targets due to their regular income streams and valuable assets. In this essential episode, we break down the most common digital threats facing...

In this technical but accessible episode, we demystify Decline Curve Analysis (DCA), the proven scientific method that oil companies have used for 80 years to predict how much oil and gas a well will produce over its lifetime. This episode is essential listening for mineral owners who want to understand how their future royalty payments are calculated and why their checks start high and then decli...

In this episode, we tackle questions submitted by Jean, Cole, Stuart, Melissa, Greg, Janet, C.J., and Lowell ranging from finding updated unit descriptions in Texas to organizing digital records and planning for the next generation. The episode provides practical guidance on navigating state regulatory websites, understanding the differences between production and sales volumes, establishing tax b...

In this month's mineral rights news episode, we cover significant developments affecting mineral and royalty owners across the United States including a new USGS report on untapped oil under federal lands, recent Arkansas lithium royalty decisions, recent geopolitical impacts on oil markets, and shifting drilling patterns across major U.S. basins! As always links to the articles and resources ment...