The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and the American Land Title Association (ALTA) recently issued new minimum standards for surveys that you can access here. The NSPS and ALTA each officially adopted these new standards in 2015, and they become effective on February 23, 2016. Some notable changes include:…
The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act was amended recently, with changes going into effect on February 17, 2016. Previously, when a foreign person or entity sold real property in the United States, the buyer was required to withhold 10% of the gross sales price. Beginning February 17, 2016,…
Earthquakes are caused by a sudden release of energy in the earth’s crust when two sections of the crust slip past each other.The size of an earthquake is determined by the Richter magnitude scale, which ranges from 0-10. Earthquakes are sometimes classified as: ● Micro Earthquakes. Earthquakes that register less…
Last year was a tough year for oil and gas companies. Houston based Schlumberger announced that it was laying off 9,000 workers. Range Resources cut its 2015 capital budget to $870 million. Other oil producers have cut rig production in response to the price declines. Concho Resources, a major producer…
Currently, there is a coordinated effort underway by a number of organizations to study and identify a possible connection between hydraulic fracturing (fracing) and a recent increase in seismic activity. Some scientists have observed an increase in seismic activity in the central and eastern regions of the United States, as…
On January 14, 2015 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced that it will release a draft rule aimed at curbing emissions of methane. This new rule will directly target new oil and gas production sources and natural gas processing and transmission. The EPA wants to reduce current emissions of…
I tell all my Texas clients (and anyone else who will listen) never to sell their mineral interests. There are a number of reasons why: 1. About 99.9% of the companies who claim to buy mineral interests are scams. What often happens is that they send you a solicitation letter…
Kinder Morgan, based in Houston, Texas, is in the process of obtaining commitments from oil and gas companies who want to use its Utica Marcellus Texas Pipeline (“UMTP”) project. This pipeline will transport natural gas and mixed natural gas liquids produced from the Utica and Marcellus shale areas to delivery…
Texas royalty owners have sure taken a licking this year. Unfortunately, it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. Moody’s Investor’s Service recently lowered its estimates for future average 2015 prices of Brent crude to $55 per barrel, and of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude to $50 per barrel.…
A recent oil and gas pipeline rupture demonstrates how important it is to have an experienced pipeline attorney review the document to make sure your land is protected to the full extent of the law. In this case, a 24-inch crude oil pipeline owned by Plains All American Pipeline LP…