Practice Area

Surface Access Agreements

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It is not unusual for oil and gas operators to approach surface owners with a request to use the land for oil and gas development operations, whether it be an access road, well pad, compressor station or tank battery/fluid impoundment. Not only do oil and gas related surface activities have the potential to significantly impact your use and development of the land, as well as your ability to market and sell it, such surface activities also involve a variety of complex legal issues associated with the rights of the oil and gas operator to use the surface to develop subsurface resources. The oil and gas attorneys at Houston Harbaugh have significant experience assisting surface owners with evaluating what is being proposed on their property, what rights the oil and gas company may possess and negotiating a fair deal for landowners with a focus on maximizing the value of the land and protecting surface owners’ rights.