I bought some land in Texas, January 2010. I bought it Fee Simple. Then I find out the person I bought it from Signed an Oil and Gas Lease in December 2009, it was put of record after the deed was executed for my purchase of the property, but before my deed was of record. I'm questioning what I can do? Do I own the minerals? or are they the previous owner's until the primary runs out? What about drilling? Will I get paid royalty if they drill?

Tags: mineral, rights

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In a "race state" the only thing that matters is the date an instrument is recorded. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE DATE IS ON THE INSTRUMENT.

The public record would show this:

Leases recorded => Deed Recorded, thus the deed is subject to the lease.

I do not have any knowledge of disclosure laws in TX, but I feel you may have some recourse against the former owner. However, I would be suprised if any judge would invalidate the lease.
How many acres of land?
Texas is a notice state. Texas statute is designed to protect bona fide or inocent purchaser for value from third party claims were they do not have actual or constructive notice.
In the circumstance given above, I’d say you, as the buyer, are a bona fide purchaser for value and you have indicated that you did not have notice. Therefore, I’d say you are protected from third party (O&G Co.) claims. You do have a duty of inquiry but I would think the title opinion would suffice but I don’t know.
In short, I'd say the O&G company needs another lease or at least a ratification.

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