Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions you might have. If you don't find the question you are looking for please contact us.

  • I received mail from your office. What does it mean?

    You are receiving notice from an oil company that believes you have a mineral interest in the lands covered by the Application or you are listed for Curative reasons. The name of the oil company, along with relief sought, and the legal description are found at the top of the first page.

  • Spacing

    You are receiving this Application because you are a party who has a right to share in production in the drilling and spacing unit. A Spacing Application sets forth the following:

    • Establishes the size of the drilling and spacing unit
    • Sets out the common sources of supply to be included in the drilling and spacing unit
    • Sets out the area within the drilling and spacing unit where the well may be drilled
    • Limits development to one well per unit
  • Increased Density

    You are receiving this Application because you are a party who has a right to share in production in the drilling and spacing unit. After the initial unit well has been drilled it is sometimes found that one well will not effectively drain the unit. When this is the case the law provides that the unit operator may seek to increase the well density in the unit by drilling one or more additional wells for a particular common source of supply.

  • Pooling

    You are receiving this Application because you are an unleased mineral owner in a unit where the operator wishes to drill a well. A hearing will be held and a pooling order will issue. The pooling order lists the estimated cost of the well proposed and the bonus offered. The owners are given 20 days from the date of the pooling order to elect in writing either to participate in the well or to take one of the fair market value alternatives. If an owner fails to elect in writing within 20 days from the date of the order they are deemed to have elected the highest cash bonus and lowest royalty option as set out in the pooling order. The pooling order also states the time within which the well must be commenced.

  • My mail was sent to the wrong address. How do I get my address corrected?

    We apologize for the inconvenience and delay of receiving your mailings. Your address can be corrected by filling out the change of address form on our contact page. Please fill out the information and include the Cause Number which is located on the first page of your mailing and your new or correct address.

  • Do I need to respond to the mailings?

    The only mailing that requires a response is a Pooling Order. You should respond to a pooling order within 20 days from the date of issuance by writing to the operator your election choice. Spacing, Location Exceptions, Increased Density, Separate Allowable, etc. are mailed just to give you notice. There is no response required.

  • What should I do if I no longer own any minerals in the legal description?

    Please contact Barnes Law or the oil company. Contact information for both is listed in the last paragraph of the Notice of Hearing.

  • Why am I listed as "Curative" and what does that mean?

    There may be a defect or irregularity in the chain of ownership for your minerals. You may have sold the minerals and the oil company is just being extra cautious to ensure adequate notice is given to all mineral owners. Contact the oil company's land manager for more information. The landman's contact information is listed in the last paragraph of the Notice of Hearing.

  • I inherited minerals from my deceased relative. How do I get the mineral's ownership under my name?

    If your relative's minerals were not probated or held in a trust, contact the oil company's land manager. Heirship Affidavits are sometimes used to clear up the title or ownership between family members. The landman's contact information is listed in the last paragraph of the Notice of Hearing.

WITH REGARD TO ANY APPLICATION YOU RECEIVE, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO APPEAR AT HEARING. SHOULD YOU WISH TO DO SO YOUR APPEARANCE MAY BE BY TELEPHONE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT EITHER OUR OFFICE OR THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION TO MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS TO PARTICIPATE BY PHONE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION AND/OR ORDER YOU HAVE RECEIVED PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE OR THE OIL AND GAS COMPANY'S CONTACT WHOSE INFORMATION IS LISTED IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH OF THE NOTICE OF HEARING.

THE INFORMATION SET OUT ABOVE IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSULT A LAWYER IF YOU DESIRE LEGAL ADVICE.