INTRODUCTION TO PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

This introductory class to petroleum land management takes a methodical approach in laying the foundational principles for oil and gas land management.  Topics include: a general introduction to the oil and gas lease, oil and gas law, mineral, surface and royalty rights, calculating net mineral interests; gross working interests, net revenue interest, royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, unit calculations; rules for transferring title; legal descriptions; and much more.

PROPERTY AND MINERAL OWNERSHIP FOR PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

Understanding property and mineral ownership and the transferring of title is critical for all those working in petroleum land management.  This course takes an in-depth and thorough look at the subject, studying land and mineral ownership in the United States, differing types of property ownership, the rules surrounding ownership & conveying property, varying types of conveyances, testate and intestate succession, the many types of title transfers that result from court actions, curing land titles and the laws governing oil and gas ownership and development.

PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Petroleum land management begins in the hearts and minds of a good geologist.  It then moves to a courthouse for the examination of title ownership; from there – to the acquisition of an oil and gas lease – to the state regulatory commission – to other working interest owners – perhaps to the the Bureau of Land Management – and then to the surface owners.  A title opinion is rendered, title curative is done, the well is drilled and proper payment of revenue is made. From start to finish, many steps must take place.  This class is designed to help the student understand the process of each step along the way.

BASIC CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS USED IN PETROLEUM LAND MANAGEMENT

The oil and gas industry uses a number of unique contractual arrangements to explore for, develop, produce, and market oil and gas. This course includes a good overview of key clauses of the oil and gas lease and examines the laws governing farmouts, operating agreements, unit operating agreements, joint venture agreements, area of mutual interest, seismic agreements, pooling and unitization agreements.  This interactive course not only takes a detailed look at these contracts but allow the students an opportunity to negotiate and draft several of the contracts that are vital to the industry.

CALCULATING OIL & GAS INTERESTS

A producing oil or gas well may produce millions of dollars in revenue and have scores of owners who are entitled to receive their portion of the revenue from production.  Understanding the principles of calculating these oil and gas interests is a vital component for the land management professional.  Each calculation may be tied to key clauses in the oil and gas lease or language associated with other agreements.

NEGOTIATING SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

By its very definition a negotiation is a dialogue between two people intended to resolve disputes or produce an agreed consensus.  We negotiate for many reasons; however, nobody is born a great negotiator.  Great negotiators learn their craft.  The purpose of this study is to place into the hands of every student a handful of practical negotiating tools that, if mastered, can help them negotiate through the issues of life