The legal description: which land the lease covers
The legal description says which land is leased: a survey and abstract, a section, township and range, a lot and block, or metes and bounds. It is usually copied from a deed, and it should match yours.
What it does
Leases often state the acres "more or less". The bonus, though, is usually paid on net mineral acres: the acres times the share of the minerals you own. If you own half the minerals under 80 acres, you have 40 net mineral acres.
Errors in the description cause trouble later, at payment time or when the lease needs releasing. A wrong section number, a missing tract or a tract you do not own are worth catching before you sign.
The description may be in an exhibit at the end. Make sure the exhibit is attached to what you sign.
What we mark on a review sheet
Normal
- A description that matches your deed, with the county and state.
- Acres stated "more or less".
Missing
- The exhibit the description refers to.
- How many net mineral acres the company shows you owning.
Ask about
- Tracts you do not recognize or do not own.
- A description of a larger area than your land, with "all lands owned" language.
Questions to ask the company
- Which deed did you take this description from?
- How many gross acres and net mineral acres do you show for me?
- Will you attach the exhibit before I sign?
Common questions
What is a legal description on a lease?
The words that identify the land leased, usually copied from a deed: a survey and abstract, a section, township and range, or a lot and block.
What are net mineral acres?
Your acres times the share of the minerals you own. Half the minerals under 80 acres is 40 net mineral acres.
Send it before you sign
Tell us what you got and what you want to know. We reply by email and tell you how to send the pages. A landman reads them and sends back a one-page review sheet.
Email hello@landman.review with what you got and your question, or call (307) 263-8515.