AboutLaura M. FitzGerald, CPL Expertise I can answer all questions related to any oil and gas leases, mineral sales, pipeline right-of-ways, LA Dept of Conservation Units; negotiating with landmen for leasing your property, assisting in locating owners of suspended funds.
Experience 26 years in the field and owning my own land services company; being a royalty owner, and participating in drilling wells
Organizations American Association for Professional Landmen, ArkLaTex Assoc. of Professional Landmen, and Dallas Association of Professional Landmen (DAPL), Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
Education/Credentials Certified Professional Landman, attended LSU, Notary Public
Question I am in the process of purchasing 16 acres in Bossier Parish. The owner will retain the mineral rights. There are no provisions in the lease for surface rights. There has been no drilling yet. I plan to build a home in the middle of the 16 acres. How worried should I be about a well being drilled in my back yard? Is there any way to prevent drilling next to my home? The owner's lease will not be up for two more years. Is there any way for me to have control of the surface rights?
Answer A well cannot be located within so many feet of a residence in the state of Louisiana.
Also, I would certainly determine from the Department of Conservation, State of Louisiana, whether a well permit has been filed for this particular section, township and range. I would also ask the current landowner to provide you with any correspondence he has received regarding drilling units in the area to determine what the well activity is in the area.
If you would provide me with the section, township and range that this property is located in, I will be happy to find out if there have been any well permits filed for this property.
This is something that I would really look into before I built my home.
