In Archer County, the person who owns the oil may not own your land

Oil was found in Archer County in 1911 or 1912. By the mid-1920s, more than 400 wells were running within thirteen miles of Archer City. After a century of leases and inheritance, many parcels are now split: the person who farms the land may not own the oil, gas, or minerals underneath.

Texas law says the mineral owner has the stronger claim. The Railroad Commission of Texas oversees oil and gas statewide. Under Texas law, a mineral owner can generally use the surface land as needed to reach those minerals. They do not need the surface owner's permission. They do not have to pay for damage that is not considered negligent — unless the lease or deed says otherwise.

Before you buy rural land in Archer County, have a title company or attorney check exactly which mineral interests come with the sale. You can look up well permits and production records for free using the Railroad Commission's public GIS viewer online. This matters because a mineral owner could one day put a lease road or wellsite on land you thought was yours alone.