Mineral rights

Oil and gas production has a long history in Jasper County

Jasper County has produced oil since 1928, so buyers of land here may encounter split estates where someone else owns the mineral rights beneath the surface.

Jasper County Home & Property

Oil was first found in Jasper County in 1928. Production was small until the 1950s. By 2004, the county had produced 34.8 million barrels total. Oil and gas are still part of the local economy. Jasper County is in Railroad Commission of Texas District 3. That office issues drilling permits and tracks production in this area.

In Texas, mineral rights and surface rights can belong to different owners. This is called a split estate. If you buy land here, check whether mineral rights come with the deed. If someone else owns the minerals under your land, they have the legal right to enter the surface to drill or produce. You can look up permitted wells and operator details on the Railroad Commission's website.

Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas — Oil & Gas Exploration and Surface Ownership

More Jasper County notes

Property tax

Two different offices handle your property tax in Jasper County

The Jasper County Appraisal District sets your property's value; a separate Tax Assessor-Collector collects your bill — knowing which office to call saves you a wasted trip.

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Property tax

Claim a homestead exemption to lower your Jasper County property tax

Jasper County homeowners who live in their home as a primary residence can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of the home's value is taxed — but you must apply yourself.

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Fishing

Sam Rayburn Reservoir offers public fishing near Jasper

Sam Rayburn Reservoir — a 114,500-acre lake with its dam about 15 miles north of Jasper — is one of Texas's top public fishing lakes for bass, crappie, and catfish.

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State park

Martin Dies Jr. State Park sits on a reservoir at the edge of the Big Thicket

Martin Dies Jr. State Park on B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir in Jasper County offers camping, fishing, paddling, and hiking in a bottomland forest setting.

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