Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Has a Long History in Palo Pinto County — Mineral Rights Matter
Palo Pinto County has produced oil and gas since the early 1900s — if you buy land here, find out whether mineral rights are included.
The first test oil well in Palo Pinto County was drilled in 1901. A big production boom came in 1915. The county kept producing through the mid-1900s. Today, active oil and gas wells are regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas. The Railroad Commission places Palo Pinto in District 7B. That district is run out of the Abilene office. You can look up permits, well locations, and production history using the Railroad Commission's free online tools.
When you buy rural land in Texas, mineral rights are often sold separately from surface rights. This is called a mineral severance. A past owner may have already sold or leased the minerals under the ground. That means someone else may have the legal right to drill on land you own. Before you close on any land purchase, ask a Texas real estate attorney to check the deed history for mineral severances. The Railroad Commission's public database is a good place to start your research.
Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas — Oil & Gas Counties and Districts