Mineral rights in the U.S. are divided into two separate estates: surface rights and mineral rights. Surface rights cover everything visible and usable on top of the ground, including structures, crops, timber, and water. Mineral rights cover what lies beneath: oil, gas, coal, and other extractable resources.
In most of the country, the two estates go together. But in states with a long history of oil and gas production, they are often severed.
There are three common paths to owning mineral rights: inheritance, direct purchase, and retained ownership.
This guide breaks down how mineral rights work, what happens when a company wants to lease your land, how to value mineral rights before selling, and what scams might be involved.
