producing wells in sections included in force pooling, but my lease expired

I hope I make sense, as I'm not as well-versed as many of you with regard to oil and gas.

In July 2006, I signed a lease with Winchester on my 40 acres within section 26, township 23 north, range 12 west (Plain Dealing area). A few months later, I received notice of force pooling of all the surrounding sections. Life got in the way, and I just forgot all about it.

I recently was thinking of selling the land and called EXCO (who bought Winchester), who confirmed that my lease had expired, but had been sold to Wild Horse prior to expiration. I checked on SONRIS lite and found that a permitted well in my section had expired, a well drilled on the next adjacent section was dry and plugged, and 3 or 4 other producing wells had been drilled (Redland Field) in what I believe would have been sections involved in the force pooling.

I haven't heard from anyone about whether or not I qualify to receive royalties and I'll admit I'm not sure who to call to find out. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Edited to add: I now live in another state, which makes it more complicated to check up on things.

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Replies to This Discussion

Forced Pooling does not hold leases in force (nor does an assignment), only production within a unit including all or a portion of your mineral tract could do that depending on the wording in your lease. I suggest that you get a contact name and number from EXCO for an appropriate staffer at Wild Horse and request a release be filed of record for your old lease. Get the mailing address and send a certified letter also.
Thanks for your reply Skip.

So (in general), even though we were pooled with other sections, unless they drill a producing well in my section I should not expect to receive royalties?

Re: requesting a release to be filed...is this with respect to expiration of my lease?
Liz, your section was not pooled with other sections. Your section was included in a drilling and production unit. And the other surrounding sections in their own separate units. Just because you receive a unit application does not necessarily mean you own a mineral interest in that section/unit. The Office of Conservation unit application regulations require that an application notice not only those mineral owners of record within the unit boundaries but those in immediately adjoining sections falling within 1000' of the unit boundary. That's why you received multiple unit application notices and why I think you are confused as to "even though we were pooled with other sections".

Yes, you should pursue a release, filed of record with the Clerk of Court, for your expired lease.
Thanks Skip, that makes perfect sense (yes I was confused lol).

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