Category Archives: Oil and Gas Law

Ranching in Oil and Gas Country: Rangeland Challenges

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I recently gave a webinar presentation as part of the Natural Resource Webinar Series put on by the TAMU Ecosystem and Science Management Unit.  Thanks so much to Megan Clayton and Pete Flores for inviting me to join. Although we were recently unable to fully cover oil and gas issues in a four hour live seminar, I was tasked with trying to condense useful information into an hour!  The first half of the webinar focuses on surface owner issues, such as how to determine mineral ownership, the dominant… Read More →

August 5, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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I kicked off this week bright and early on Monday morning in College Station where I coordinated the Landowner Issues Session at the TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course.  It is a great event and we had a huge turn out and great audience questions for our session.  In addition to welcoming those of you joining the blog from BCSC, I also want to give a huge thanks to my co-presenters, Luke Ellis and James Decker, who did absolutely outstanding presentations! Yesterday, I presented a webinar for the TAMU… Read More →

July 1, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy July!  Last week we held our final Ranchers’ Leasing Workshop here in Amarillo.  We had a great turn out and I want to welcome those of you joining from that program. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. * The Other Border War.  Texas Monthly published a great article discussing the ongoing dispute between north Texas landowners and the federal Bureau of Land Management regarding the location of the Texas/Oklahoma border.  The article outlines the struggle of one landowner who was… Read More →

May 6, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Welcome to May!  I hope everyone had a great week.  Here are some of the ag law stories in the news. * Suggestions offered in review of Texas Railroad Commission.  The Sunset Advisory Committee–a legislative body that reviews agencies–has published its report offering suggestions for changes needed at the Texas Railroad Commission.  First off, the committee recommended the agency’s name be changed to the “Texas Energy Resources Commission” to clarify that the agency governs oil, gas, mining and intrastate pipelines, rather than railroads.  The committee also suggested changes… Read More →

Landowner Attorney Discusses Private Property Rights

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If you were not at the 2016 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Convention, it looks like you missed a great presentation by San Antonio attorney and third-generation rancher, Joseph Fitzsimons.  Fortunately, Colleen Schreiber published a great article recapping the presentation for Livestock Weekly magazine.  With their permission, I am republishing Colleen’s article here. Landowner Attorney Discusses Water Rights At TSCRA Meeting By Colleen Schreiber FORT WORTH — Landowners have won some important legislative and court battles in the property rights arena of late. Third-generation rancher and attorney Joseph… Read More →

Questions from Tiffany’s Desk: Does an Oil Company Have to Fence Around Well To Protect Livestock?

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Question: Does an oil and gas company who is drilling on ranch land have an obligation to put up a fence around the well to prevent livestock from being injured? Answer:  Believe it or not, the answer is no.  Texas law is clear that an oil and gas company is under no legal obligation to fence around operations areas to protect a surface owner’s livestock.  This can (and should) be changed by terms in an oil and gas lease or surface use agreement. First, let’s consider the applicable… Read More →

March 18, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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I hope you all had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!  Here are a few of the ag law stories making news this week. * Senate rejects voluntary GMO labeling bill.  On Wednesday, the US Senate rejected a bill that would have created a voluntary GMO labeling system and would have prohibited states from imposing mandatory labeling requirements.  Proponents of the bill claim that GMOs are safe and that labeling should not be mandatory as it would increase food prices.  Further, they argue that allowing states to pass different… Read More →

Texas Oil & Gas Leasing Handbook Available

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Last week, my colleague from Oklahoma State University, Shannon Ferrell, and I put on an oil and gas leasing workshop in College Station.  The program was well attended, participants asked excellent questions, and the final evaluations and comments were very positive from those who attended. The funding for this project was provided by the Southern Risk Management Education Center and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  We would also like to say a special thank you to Dr. Mark Waller, Tracy Davis, and Dusty Tittle for their… Read More →

February 5, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Yesterday I enjoyed the chance to attend and present the keynote address at the High Plains Irrigation Conference in Amarillo.  Thanks to Dr. Dana Porter for the invitation and welcome to those of you new to the blog from the conference. It was a rather slow week in the agricultural law realm, but here are a few stories in the news recently. * Oil and Gas Leasing Program Set for College Station.  Shannon Ferrell and I will be putting on a FREE oil and gas leasing workshop in College… Read More →

January 15, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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This week I made the drive to Lubbock to speak at the “Seeking Solutions” extension meeting.  It was a great program and I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit with producers about agricultural law.  To those of you joining the blog from that event, welcome!  Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. * What You Need To Know About Selling Your Oil and Gas Interests.  Texas attorney Aimee Hess recently wrote a great blog post discussing the sale of mineral interests.  She offers some… Read More →