Oil & Gas Transactions

The energy and natural resources lawyers at PMBG have been at the forefront in protecting landowners’ rights and interests in South Texas and throughout the State. A landowner negotiating an oil and gas lease, surface use agreement, wind or solar lease, pipeline right-of-way, or any other energy related transaction needs a skilled and specialized attorney on their side. These types of agreements can last for many years and can affect several generations. The energy and natural resources attorneys at PMBG have decades of experience negotiating energy transactions on behalf of land and mineral owners throughout Texas. They will do their best to make sure you receive market compensation and that your interests are protected by strong contracts that benefit your interests.

If you receive a printed oil and gas lease form, or any other energy-related solicitation in the mail, you should call an experienced energy and natural resources attorney before signing.  Before you sign an oil and gas lease, pipeline easement agreement, or division order, you should protect you and your family’s rights and consult with an experienced oil and gas attorney to review it.

Oil, Gas, and Mineral Leases

If you are approached for an oil and gas lease, you need an experienced oil and gas lawyer, someone with mineral leasing knowledge, who can advocate for your interests. An oil and gas lease is more than a good bonus and royalty percentage. The lease controls how and when royalties will be paid, whether deductions are allowed, and how much of your land is retained once the drilling stops. The lease can even address when drilling begins. Our oil and gas attorneys have years of experience drafting high-quality, personalized leases that take into account the unique aspects of your mineral ownership and maximize the return to the mineral owner. 

Surface Use Agreements

Surface Use Agreements set the rules for how oil and gas companies and other lessees treat your land. These agreements include pad site agreements, facilities agreements, caliche or gravel leases, and pipeline and flowline agreements.  Our oil and gas attorneys are here to make sure oil companies and other lessees treat your land with the same respect and care that you give your land.

Wind and Solar Leases

Texas energy production does not stop with oil and gas – much of Texas is ideal for wind and solar production and Texas has become the number one wind energy producer in the United States. Wind and solar leases have royalty and compensation provisions that are complex and can have a substantial impact on your land. Our wind and solar attorneys will help you get to the best deal possible and will also assist in drafting provisions that protect the land for the future.

Pipeline Agreements and Condemnation

Some pipeline companies claim the right of condemnation (eminent domain) when building large pipeline projects. If you are dealing with a pipeline company that wants access to your land, you need to speak with an experienced pipeline condemnation attorney. Our pipeline condemnation attorneys have years of experience in handling pipeline negotiations and pipeline litigation throughout Texas, including the following counties:

South Texas: Atascosa, Bee, DeWitt, Dimmit, Frio, Gonzalez, Karnes, Kenedy, La Salle, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Refugio, Webb, and Zavala Counties

West Texas and Central Texas: Andrews, Bexar, Brewster, Comanche, Crane, Crockett,  Dawson, Ector, Edwards, Gaines, Hays, Gaines, Kinney, Loving, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Real,  Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Uvalde, Ward, Winkler, and Wichita Counties

Current pipeline projects include: Permian Highway, Plains Cactus I and II, EPIC Y-Grade, Red Oak, Grey Oak, Whistler, and M2E4.  

A landowner who is facing pipeline condemnation will want to make sure the compensation is sufficient, and will want to ensure the contract provides for as much land protection as possible. PMBG attorneys are available at every step, from survey permission to contract negotiation to representation in condemnation (eminent domain) court proceedings if necessary.  Our pipeline condemnation attorneys also have decades of experience representing clients against oil and gas operators and mid-stream companies.

Audits/Lease Compliance

Energy companies sometimes underpay land and mineral owners and fail to comply with important lease provisions. Our oil and gas attorneys have assisted countless clients in conducting lease royalty audits, confirming royalty percentages in division orders, and surface payment amounts, as well as enforcing lease provisions, including those requiring a release or partial release of lease acreage, and can be available to do the same for you. Our royalty audit and lease compliance representation is full spectrum, from audit or other notice to litigation and appeal, if necessary.