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

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 wells, multiple examples of tips and tricks for working with stubborn operators who will not respond to emails or phone calls, as well as several questions related to the ever present issue of orphan w...

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 and paid. 

As always, more information and links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

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 articles and resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

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. Stay tuned until the end because we also share our personal favorite guest interviews so far.

As always, links to the resources and episodes mentioned can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.co...

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 the difference between receiving payments and having marketable title, and recognizing that sudden increases in purchase offers often signal upcoming drilling activity worth investigating before selling.  As always, links to the resources mentioned can be found in the show notes at...

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 via Facebook Marketplace), real success metrics, and how technology is streamlining property acquisition workflows. Whether you're curious about surface rights or looking for alternative real estate investments that share DNA with mineral rights, this conversation bridges two...

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 water while leaving questions unanswered related to lithium and other valuable minerals.  All this and more!  As always, links to the articles discussed can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

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 emerging legal issues like pore space rights.

This annual gathering offers mineral and royalty owners an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate their knowledge, network with fellow owners from across the country, and gain direct access to the industry's top legal minds and...

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 administration's energy policies; it creates what may be the most favorable environment for oil and gas development that we've seen in decades. From mandatory quarterly federal lease sales to restored tax advantages for...

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, actionable advice for both seasoned and new mineral rights owners navigating everything from lease negotiations to tax implications of inherited properties.

As always, the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.<...

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.  As always, we wrap up with the latest drilling rig count and a discussion on where things might head next. 

Links to the articles and resources mentioned can be found in the show notes at min...

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 mineral owners and provide straightforward, non-technical strategies to protect your personal information, financial accounts, and royalty payments. Whether you're tech-savvy or prefer to keep things simple, you'll discover practical steps you can implement immediately to safeguard your mineral income and personal data from online...

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 decline over time.  Be sure to listen as I tell you how you can learn to forecast your future royalty payments yourself (and when you have your minerals valued you will understand the process that i...

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 basis for mineral sales, and preventing mineral rights fragmentation through proper estate planning.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

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 mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month's listener Q&A episode, we tackle seven diverse questions covering inheritance challenges, tax strategies, emerging lithium opportunities, and practical lease evaluation.  Be sure to listen to hear actionable guidance for mineral owners navigating complex situations, from dealing with inherited properties to understanding the difference between pooling and allocation wells.  As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

https://mineralrightspodcast.com/mrp-289-the-essential-learning-guide-for-mineral-owners/Managing mineral rights and royalties can feel overwhelming, especially when you're first starting out or have recently inherited these assets. The oil and gas industry operates with its own complex language of technical terms and acronyms that can make even seasoned professionals feel lost at times. However, with the right educational foundation and knowing where to find reliable information, mineral owners can successfully navigate this landscape and make informed decisions about their valuable assets. This episode provides a curated guide to the most valuable learning resources available today, from beginner-friendly organizations to advanced technical...

In this episode, we share our favorite tools and resources for managing mineral rights and royalties effectively.  As we have discussed in the past, there are four key phases to getting a handle on your minerals: knowing what you own, understanding different types of oil and gas interests, locating your property and researching activity, and determining value.  Mineral and royalty management is a step-by-step journey where different tools become relevant at different times so we talk about the essential tools that we recommend for each step in your mineral management journey.

Be sure to bookmark the show no...

In this episode of the Mineral Rights Podcast, I cover significant developments affecting mineral and royalty owners across the United States. The episode examines North Dakota's recent legislation establishing royalty rates for rare earth minerals, analyzes the implications of the new US-Ukraine critical minerals agreement on US mineral owners, highlights a major USGS resource assessment in Wyoming, and provides the latest drilling activity updates. 

As always, links to the articles mentioned and additional resources can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Jon Corkern serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO), bringing a unique combination of nonprofit management expertise and personal mineral ownership experience to the role. His path to NARO began not through an oil and gas industry background, but as a mineral rights owner who found himself overwhelmed by lease offers and complex paperwork related to his  mineral interests. Like many NARO members, Corkern initially had no idea how to evaluate whether offers were fair or what steps he should take to protect his interests. Through his connection with past NARO president David Smith, h...

In this episode of the Mineral Rights Podcast, we provide a comprehensive checklist for mineral owners on handling division orders. From what division orders are, how to verify your decimal interest is correct, when to get professional help, and best practices for documentation. This essential guide helps ensure you get paid correctly from the start so you can protect your interests when a new well begins producing.

As always, the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we tackle a diverse set of listener questions submitted by Jim, Greg, Shelly, Sean, Denny, and Christie. Questions range from hedging strategies against oil price fluctuations to taxation of royalties held in suspense, resolving payment discrepancies, tracking down mineral ownership documentation, and managing working interests.

As always links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month’s news, we discuss moves by the Trump administration to accelerate energy project approvals and development of critical minerals like lithium, latest Arkansas lithium developments, how the industry is responding to falling oil prices and economic uncertainty from tariffs.  Meanwhile, natural gas prices remain stable, providing some security for royalty owners during a period of oil price volatility, and we give an update on the current drilling activity across major U.S. basins!

As always, links to the articles discussed can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month’s episode, we answer listener questions submitted by Jonathan, Stephen, Lisa, Michael, Nancy, James, and Greg.  From interpreting well production tests, cost of mineral rights valuations, emerging lithium opportunities in Pennsylvania, concerns about missing royalty payments after an operator bankruptcy, understanding why your well was shut in, timing mineral sales around the election and lithium rights in leases, and filing mineral deeds after a surface property sale. 

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month’s mineral rights news episode, we analyze the unexpected OPEC announcement of plans to raise output by 411,000 barrels per day starting in May 2025 coupled with tariffs that sent oil prices tumbling 7%.  We also examine how the Trump administration's new tariff policies are reshaping global energy markets, particularly for LNG exports, and discuss the implications of secondary tariffs targeting countries importing Venezuelan oil. Plus, we review the latest rig count data showing a potential shift toward natural gas production in several key basins.

As always, links to the articles discussed can be found in the sho...

In this month’s episode, we answer a diverse set of listener questions submitted by Nathan, Darion, Holly, Richard, Julie, Joe, and Margaret.  Questions range from valuing mineral rights portfolios across multiple states to verifying division orders, keeping mineral interests within families, researching active leases, buying minerals and royalties, and the complexities of Texas Relinquishment Act lands.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month’s news, we discuss how the energy landscape is being dramatically reshaped by policy decisions from the Trump administration, including the repeal of methane regulations, new tariffs on energy imports, and sanctions affecting Venezuelan crude. These changes come as OPEC+ begins unwinding production cuts, creating a complex mix of supply pressures that could affect both oil and gas prices. While oil has dropped to around $66 per barrel, natural gas prices have strengthened considerably. For mineral owners, these developments create both challenges and opportunities—tariffs on foreign crude could stimulate domestic production in certain regions, and we give...

Rare earth minerals or elements might sound exotic, but they're increasingly vital to modern life and global geopolitics. As the United States seeks new sources of these critical materials—including a potential deal with Ukraine that's making headlines—mineral rights owners across America need to understand what this means for their properties.

We cover three main topics:

What rare earth elements are and why they've become so valuable in the modern economy

The geopolitics of rare earths, including the developing U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal and what it means for domestic mining

H...

In this month’s episode, we answer a diverse set of questions submitted by Julie, Tom, Dan, Nicole, Melissa, Erik, and Gary. From how to address post production costs that were improperly deducted by a previous operator, to pooling and what happens if another landowner refuses to lease their minerals, to how to notify your operator about a change in ownership.  We answer these questions and more and address some common challenges mineral owners face when managing their interests.

Many of the questions in this episode are covered in my Mineral Management Basics onl...

In this episode of The Mineral Rights Podcast, we explore several major developments affecting mineral and royalty owners in early 2025. The appointment of Kathleen Sgamma to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signals potential changes in federal land management that could benefit mineral owners, particularly those with interests adjacent to federal lands. The episode also covers OPEC's production decisions, significant developments in domestic lithium production, and current drilling activity across major U.S. basins and our updated outlook for 2025.

As always, links to the articles discussed can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we explore the sweeping executive orders recently signed by President Trump that signal a significant shift in domestic energy policy. The new administration has declared a "National Energy Emergency" and introduced the "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, marking a dramatic change from previous policies by prioritizing traditional energy production. While these changes primarily impact federal lands, they could have broader implications for all mineral and royalty owners through their effects on energy markets, particularly natural gas prices and LNG exports.

Shout out to Greg (and others) for asking for our take on the change...

In this episode, we tackle a crucial but often overlooked aspect of estate planning: how to properly store and organize your important documents. We pay special attention to the unique needs of mineral rights and royalty interest owners, whose estate planning often involves additional layers of complexity.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Be sure to download my free Estate Planning Document Storage Checklist which outlines the essential Estate Planning Documents and how to store them using the three-tier storage system...

In this month's episode, we answer a diverse set of questions submitted by Anna, Robbie, @dnk4559 (via YouTube), Edith, Karen, Tracy, and Brad. The discussion covers important topics including property tax protests in Texas, surface rights conflicts in Oklahoma, inheritance issues with division orders, how to calculate your decimal interest, royalty payment calculations in Louisiana, and working interest complications.

Many of the questions in this episode are addressed in my Mineral Management Basics online course, from how to read a legal description, how to perform a title search, and how to identify nearby oil and gas activity...

In this episode, we discuss the process of taking over mineral rights management from a professional mineral manager. From why you might consider self-management, the essential steps for making the transition, and how to set up effective management systems, we cover what you should know.  We also share practical tips for staying educated about industry trends and planning for future generations. Whether you're considering taking over management of your minerals or just want to better understand what your current mineral manager should be doing, this episode provides valuable insights for all mineral and royalty owners.

As always, t...

In this episode we discuss major developments that could shape the energy industry in 2025: a pivotal Supreme Court case that could expand oil transportation from Utah's Uinta Basin, major oil companies maintaining financial discipline despite political pressure to increase drilling, the Permian Basin's growing natural gas challenges, and ExxonMobil's innovative plan to power AI data centers with natural gas. And as always we wrap with a look at the latest drilling rig count.

As always, links to the articles discussed can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we answer listener questions from Reuben, Robin, Lacey, Steve, James, George, and Elisabeth about figuring out if you are getting paid correctly, understanding what is going with your Texas property tax bills, getting paid interest on late royalty payments, transferring ownership of royalty interests and how to get paid, understanding why well gets shut-in and what that means, and how to find out how many acres you own in wells shown on your division orders, and more!

As always, you can find the show notes with links to the resources mentioned in this episode...

https://mineralrightspodcast.com/mrp-269-understanding-royalty-based-loans-a-guide-for-mineral-owners/While borrowing against oil and gas royalties isn't widely discussed among mineral owners, it is an important financing option for those receiving regular royalty payments. This practice, known as Reserve Based Lending (RBL), has been common in the oil and gas industry for decades but is now becoming more accessible to individual royalty owners. Understanding how these loans work, their requirements, and their risks can help large mineral owners make informed decisions about leveraging their royalty income without having to sell their valuable mineral interests.  We also discuss other options for borrowing against modest r...

In this month’s news episode, we discuss two important cabinet picks that will have the biggest impact on mineral & royalty owners, the latest major oil & gas company to dip their toes into the Arkansas lithium boom, an update on the Arkansas lithium royalty rate application, and the latest rig count!

As always, you can find the links to the articles mentioned in this episode in the show notes which can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized the Biden administration's new tax on methane emissions from oil and gas operations, raising important questions for royalty owners about potential impacts on their royalty payments in the form of additional post-production deductions.  And while this rule may get overturned by the GOP majority in the house, in the meantime operators may still need to report emissions for 2024.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this week's episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Natural gas currently trades at a massive discount to crude oil based on its energy content.  While oil has been hovering at around $70 per barrel, natural gas trades at just over $3 per thousand cubic feet (mcf).  We talk about how this pricing disconnect is creating opportunities as two major new demand sources emerge: AI data centers requiring reliable power and innovative gas-to-liquid technologies that can convert natural gas directly into gasoline and other fuels.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.