Mineral Rights
In Ector County, Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Are Often Separate
When you buy land in Ector County, you may not own the oil and gas below it — those rights are often already owned by someone else.
Ector County sits in the heart of the Permian Basin, one of the most active oil-producing regions in the country. When land changes hands here, mineral rights — the right to oil, gas, and other minerals underground — are often already separated from the surface. You can own the surface and not own what is below it.
An oil company with a valid mineral lease has the legal right to use the surface as needed for drilling. The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates drilling permits and operations. Before you buy land in Ector County, have an attorney check the deed for a mineral reservation. RRC district records can show what activity is permitted near a property.
Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas – Oil and Gas Division