Expert: James H. McConnell, CPL - 12/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: The property i have now,I purchased on a HUD forclosure.
I live in Tarrant county in Texas. I have a Fort worth address. They are drilling all around me for gas.
First thing is how do I find who has the mineral rights.
The guy who first owned the property live close to me. He subdived property and sold it off.
He said he never sold the mineral rights.
The property has changed hands three times or more.
How do i find out what section i live in to resaerch this?
How do I find out who owns the mineral rights?
Is there a way for me to obtain them?
After i do how do I get the Gas drilling company to pay me for drilling or lease them to them?

One more thing They are Drilling so close to my house they keep me awake at night. Its loud, how do i get a noise ebatement money from them or compensated for that!
Who do I file that and who do i talk to.


ANSWER: Your property description is on your tax receipt.  If you haven't been contacted by an oil company and they are drilling near you, you probably do not own the minerals.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay first of all i dont recive mail there and second I haven't paid my first years taxes yet.I dont have a tax receipt to look at.  How do i research who does own the minerals. How do i know what section i live in? So i may research this.

Answer
The CAD office has plats of all of the tracts in the County.  You can go to the county courthouse and find your deed and then run the title backwards until you find the mineral reservation.  

You should have gotten a title policy with your home.  In the exceptions there will be a note about the mineral reservation.