When investing in mineral rights, you don’t actually have to own the land. Investors can simply purchase the rights to the oil and gas minerals on the land. This can become tricky, since you are essentially sharing ownership of the land with the property owner. You would own the minerals found beneath the ground, while the property owner would own the land on the surface and anything built on it. It’s easy to see how this could become complicated once the actual drilling occurs, so working with an expert to iron out the details of the agreement is essential to protect your investment.
On a related note, rules and regulations are in place prohibiting the land owner from withholding access to your mineral rights. Often times, oil and gas companies will negotiate the necessary terms with the land owner to explore and produce the minerals below the surface.
