Texas Porch

Oil, Gas & Mineral Rights

Oil and gas have shaped Dawson County for nearly a century

Dawson County has a long oil production history, and landowners here should understand that surface rights and mineral rights are often owned separately.

Dawson County Home & Property

Oil production in Dawson County started in 1934 near the Welch community. The cumulative production through 1990 was roughly 295 million barrels. That history means mineral rights on many parcels were severed from surface rights long ago. When you buy land here, you may own the surface but not the oil, gas, or other minerals below it.

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) regulates oil and gas operations statewide. It keeps public records of wells, permits, and operators. If you want to know what wells exist on or near a property, the RRC's online GIS viewer and well databases let you search by county. This is useful due diligence before any rural land purchase in Dawson County.

Source to confirm: Texas Railroad Commission — Well Information

More Dawson County notes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property tax in Dawson County

Dawson County has a separate appraisal district and tax assessor-collector office, and knowing which one to contact saves time.

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Homestead Exemption

File for a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill

Texas law lets you exempt part of your home's value from property taxes — but you have to apply at the appraisal district first.

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Groundwater / Water Wells

You need a permit before drilling a water well in Dawson County

The Mesa Underground Water Conservation District oversees the Ogallala Aquifer in Dawson County and requires a permit to drill a new well.

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Hunting Regulations

Deer hunting in Dawson County has specific buck rules you must know

Dawson County hunters can take white-tailed and mule deer, but state rules limit how many and what kind of buck is legal.

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