Texas Porch

Mineral Rights

Mineral rights can be owned separately from the land in Fort Bend County

In Texas, the owner of oil and gas beneath a property may be a different person from the owner of the land surface.

Fort Bend County Home & Property

Texas allows mineral rights and surface rights to be owned by different people. If prior owners sold or reserved the mineral rights, the current landowner may not control what happens beneath the surface. An oil or gas company with mineral rights can legally drill on your property after meeting certain legal requirements.

Fort Bend County has a history of oil and gas production going back to 1919. Some rural and suburban properties may have severed minerals. When you buy property, your title search should show whether minerals are included.

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates oil and gas activity and maintains records of wells. If you want to know about past or current production near a property, search the RRC online well search at rrc.texas.gov.

Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas

More Fort Bend County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property tax in Fort Bend County

The appraisal district sets your home's value; the tax assessor-collector sends the bill and takes payment.

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Homestead Exemption

How to apply for a homestead exemption in Fort Bend County

Homeowners who live in their home as their main residence can apply with FBCAD to lower the taxable value.

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Municipal Utility Districts

Many Fort Bend neighborhoods are inside a MUD

Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) are special taxing districts that built and now run water, sewer, and drainage in many subdivisions.

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Ag Valuation

Agricultural land in Fort Bend can be taxed at a lower rate

Land used for farming or ranching may qualify for a lower tax value based on what it can produce, not what it would sell for.

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