Mineral Rights
Surface rights and mineral rights can be owned separately in Ward County
In this Permian Basin county, buying land does not always mean you own the oil and gas underneath it — and the mineral owner often has the right to come onto your land.
Texas law allows the surface estate and the mineral estate to be owned by different people. This split is called severance. In Ward County, which sits in the heart of the Permian Basin, many parcels were severed long ago. When you buy land here, the deed will tell you whether minerals are included. If they are not, a mineral owner or their lessee can drill on your property.
Under Texas law, the mineral estate is dominant. That means the mineral owner has the legal right to use the surface to the extent reasonably necessary for exploration and production. This can include drilling wells, building access roads, and running pipelines. Surface owners have limited recourse unless the use is negligent or excessive. Before buying rural land in Ward County, have a title company check the deed for mineral reservations. The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) regulates oil and gas operations but does not handle disputes over ownership. Consult a Texas attorney for anything title-related.
Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas — Oil & Gas Exploration and Surface Ownership FAQ