Inherited Mineral Rights in the Permian Basin
If you inherited mineral rights in the Permian Basin, you may own one of the most valuable types of mineral assets in the United States. The Permian is the largest and most active oil and gas basin in North America, and it continues to attract massive investment and development.
Many families inherit mineral rights in the Permian without realizing what they own, where the minerals are located, or how valuable the interest might be. Because the basin spans multiple counties and has decades of development history, ownership is often fractional and spread across many heirs.
This page explains how inherited mineral rights work specifically in the Permian Basin, how to confirm what you own, how value is typically determined, and when selling inherited mineral rights might make sense.
What Are Inherited Mineral Rights in the Permian Basin?
Inherited mineral rights in the Permian Basin are ownership interests in subsurface oil and gas that pass to heirs through an estate. These rights are separate from surface ownership and often exist even if no one in the family owns land in Texas or New Mexico.
Most inherited mineral rights in the Permian include:
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Oil and natural gas interests
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Leasing rights (in many cases)
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Royalty income from existing wells
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Potential upside from future drilling
People usually learn about these rights when:
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Royalty checks start arriving
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Operators send division orders
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Buyers contact them with offers
Why the Permian Basin Is Unique
The Permian Basin is the most prolific oil and gas basin in the United States.
Key characteristics:
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Located primarily in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico
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Produces more oil than any other US basin
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Massive horizontal drilling across multiple stacked formations
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Continuous development for decades
Major formations include:
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Wolfcamp
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Bone Spring
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Spraberry
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Delaware
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Midland
Operators active in the basin include:
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ExxonMobil
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Chevron
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Occidental
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EOG Resources
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Pioneer Natural Resources
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Devon Energy
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ConocoPhillips
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Many private operators
Because of this scale and history, mineral ownership in the Permian Basin is often split across multiple generations, with many heirs owning small fractional interests.
How to Confirm What You Own in the Permian Basin
Before making any decisions, you need to confirm exactly what you inherited.
Step 1: Identify the county
Common Permian Basin counties include:
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Reeves County, TX
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Midland County, TX
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Martin County, TX
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Upton County, TX
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Loving County, TX
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Eddy County, NM
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Lea County, NM
Each county maintains its own records.
Step 2: Find the legal description
Permian mineral rights are usually described by:
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Survey and abstract (Texas)
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Township, Range, Section (New Mexico)
This information appears on deeds, leases, or division orders.
Step 3: Determine if the interest is producing
If you receive royalty checks, the interest is producing. If not, it may still have significant value if located near active drilling.
Step 4: Confirm title
County records determine ownership, not family assumptions. Many inherited mineral rights in the Permian were never formally transferred after earlier generations passed away.
Do You Need Probate to Sell Inherited Mineral Rights in Texas or New Mexico?
Often, yes.
To sell inherited mineral rights in the Permian Basin, buyers usually require:
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Probate of the prior owner’s estate
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Or transfer through a properly documented trust
In some limited cases, affidavits of heirship may work, but most transactions still require formal recorded documentation.
Clear title affects:
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How quickly a transaction can close
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Whether buyers will proceed
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The final value of the offer
How Inherited Mineral Rights Are Valued in the Permian Basin
There is no universal price per acre. Value depends on multiple basin-specific factors.
The biggest value drivers
1) Producing vs non-producing
Producing minerals are valued based on existing cash flow. Non-producing minerals are valued based on future development potential.
2) Location within the basin
Delaware Basin properties often differ in value from Midland Basin properties.
3) Target formation
Different formations carry different economics and drilling risks.
4) Operator activity nearby
Permits, rigs, and horizontal wells nearby often matter more than oil prices.
5) Your exact interest size
Most inherited mineral rights are fractional. Even small interests can be valuable in high-quality areas.
Lease vs Sell in the Permian Basin
Common Issues for Permian Basin Heirs
Inherited mineral rights in the Permian often involve:
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Fractional ownership across multiple heirs
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Old deeds with missing information
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Suspended royalties due to title issues
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Confusion between surface and mineral rights
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Overlapping lease history
These problems are common and usually solvable, but ignoring them can reduce long-term value.
Counties in the Permian Basin
Each county page below covers inherited mineral rights for that specific area.
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Reeves County, Texas
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Midland County, Texas
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Martin County, Texas
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Loving County, Texas
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Upton County, Texas
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Eddy County, New Mexico
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Lea County, New Mexico
Each county page links back to this basin page and includes local operator activity and ownership patterns.
FAQ: Permian Basin
What are inherited mineral rights in the Permian Basin?
Inherited mineral rights in the Permian Basin are ownership interests in oil and gas that pass to heirs through an estate.
Are inherited mineral rights valuable in the Permian Basin?
They often are. The Permian is the most productive oil and gas basin in the United States.
Can I sell inherited mineral rights in Texas or New Mexico?
Yes, but buyers usually require probate or recorded estate documents to confirm ownership.
Do mineral rights in the Permian Basin produce royalties?
Many do. The basin has thousands of active wells producing oil and gas.
How do I know what I inherited?
You need to review county records, legal descriptions, and any royalty statements.
Is the Permian Basin still active?
Yes. It is the most active oil and gas basin in North America.