Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas
Oil and gas have shaped Starr County for nearly a century
Starr County has a long oil and gas history, so mineral rights questions often come up when buying land here.
Oil has been produced in Starr County for decades. Production was documented as far back as the late 1920s, and the county has recorded hundreds of millions of barrels over the years. The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates all oil and gas activity in the state. Starr County falls under RRC District 4. The regional office is in Corpus Christi.
When you buy rural land in Texas, mineral rights may or may not come with it. Mineral rights are the legal right to oil, gas, and other minerals underground. They can be split from the surface and sold separately. If a past owner kept the minerals, a future operator could legally come onto your surface land to drill.
Before you buy, check the deed history. Ask a Texas real estate attorney about mineral rights. The RRC's public GIS viewer shows active permits and wells near any property you are considering.
Source to confirm: Railroad Commission of Texas — Oil & Gas Districts