Oil Companies & Drilling Laws?
Apparently in Texas a land owner only owns the rights to the surface of his or her land. Somebody who owned the land 100 years ago may own the mineral rights.
The oil companies use this as a way to drill on our land without our permission.
What I’m wondering is what gives them the right to destroy the surface of your land and place their items (oil tanks, machinery, vehicles) on your land?
Their drilling ruines ones land and can easily consume over an acre.
Is there anyway to fight this? (without violence)
January 11th, 2010 at 2:14 am
pack a very big picnic basket and get-to-camping. have friends come and relieve you, and find a way to stay in the news. (while you camp, convert diesel engines to bio-diesel and give away)
Is this happening to you right now?
Please now think about what is proposed for ANWAR. the number of sq. acres they speak of only count what parts actually touch the ground. If a pipeline is 200 miles long, and is run aboveground (cheaper and faster than digging) some fortified stable base would be used (a guess) every 10-15 yards? this base is 16sq ft. which is every couple of yards.
if my math is correct, 73 sq yards. for 200 miles .
However, what about the land now beneath 200 miles of thick pipe? Antelopes haven’t adapted to a piped migration. if pipe is 4ft wide, the surface disrupted=21120ft (again, math cruddy, but find out for yourself)
January 11th, 2010 at 2:14 am
The owner of the mineral rights still has the responsibility to mitigate any damage to the owner of the surface rights.
If the damage is excessive, the owner of the surface rights should sue to recover.
January 11th, 2010 at 2:14 am
The oil company has an implied easement that allows it to take what actions are necessary to obtain minerals from under the property. However, it does not have the right to inflict excessive or unnecessary damage to the surface in doing so. Damage beyond what is considered reasonable by a jury may be compensable in court. Of course, this is a judgment call, but if the oil company makes too big a mess, you should contact a lawyer who specializes in real estate and property law.
January 11th, 2010 at 2:14 am
This is a big question with many possible answers but just think about it?
Who in America prevails these days- the large corporate entities or the little guy just trying to stay alive?
My guess is that they have this all sewn up and in the bag with your political representatives that are in office to watch out for your intrest! Are you laughing yet?
Here’s some more then to get you into the "spirit"! Who has more money to pay off the judge, corporate America or you?
This would be like an ant picking a fight with susquash!
No matter what you think your legal ramifications are, you had better dot all your "i’s" and cross all your "t’s" before you take on these multi- billion dollar sleeze balls! You can almost bet they’ll bankrupt you in legal manuevering and continue their practice as usual! Corporate America and the US Government are of one entity!