If you've ever inherited minerals and received an unexpected document from an oil and gas company asking you to sign something called a "stipulation of interest and cross-conveyance," you're not alone — and you may not have known what it meant or what to do next. In this episode, we break down exactly what these documents are, why operators use them, when you're likely to encounter one, and what your options are if the ownership percentages don't look right to you. Whether you're a first-generation mineral owner or managing an inherited interest that's been passed down for decades, understanding these instruments could save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary legal fees and help you start receiving your royalty checks sooner.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we answer questions submitted by Judy, Mike, Douglas, Greg, Gregg, Celeste, and Mike. We break down tax strategies for inherited minerals, what to do when you discover missing royalty payments from years ago, including statute of limitations issues and how operator changes complicate recovery efforts. You'll hear a success story from a listener who found $375 in unclaimed royalties using my free guide that I send to all subscribers to my email list (fill out the form at the bottom of the page if you aren't already a subscriber!). We walk through the process for verifying whether a "make good" royalty payment is accurate using publicly available production data. We discuss the nuances involved with older leases that are held by production by vertical wells when new horizontal drilling is just around the corner. Finally, we wrap up with our take on how one mineral owner forecasts future income from 800 wells using decline curve analysis. Whether you're new to managing minerals or have been doing this for years, this episode provides practical, actionable guidance you can apply to your own situation.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this February 2026 news roundup, we analyze how Winter Storm Ferne disrupted nearly 2 million barrels per day of U.S. oil production and sent natural gas prices to all-time highs, with spot prices hitting over $30/mmBtu. We explore what these dramatic price spikes mean for your royalty checks and why this recovery looks different from the 2021 Texas grid crisis. We also examine the Trump administration's push to streamline oil and gas permitting on federal forest lands, Greenland's emerging role as a strategic mineral hub, and what flat rig counts signal about the industry's cautious approach to increasing production despite recent price volatility.

As always, links to the articles discussed can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

When U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, headlines focused on the country's massive oil reserves—reportedly 303 billion barrels, the largest in the world. But as we dig deeper into the technical realities of Venezuela's extra-heavy crude, the crumbling infrastructure, and the geopolitical chess match unfolding in our hemisphere, a different story emerges. While Energy Secretary Chris Wright told oil executives that Venezuela could increase production by just 300,000 barrels per day in the near term—barely a blip in global markets of 106 million barrels daily—China has been building satellite ground stations, selling military hardware, and using debt-for-oil arrangements to gain a strategic foothold in America's backyard. This episode reveals why the Venezuela intervention may have far less to do with oil production and far more to do with countering Chinese influence, pressuring Canada in upcoming trade negotiations, and controlling a critical piece of Western Hemisphere infrastructure that was slipping into Beijing's orbit.

Links to the articles and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we answer questions submitted by Nathan, Lisa, Bill, Tina, Rose, Linda, and David. From dealing with an unresponsive Oklahoma producer who won't pay royalties and won't return calls or emails—a frustrating situation many owners encounter, to what to do when you receive an unsolicited offer to sell your minerals and how to know if it's a fair deal, to lease negotiations and fair lease language, specifically around pugh/retained acreage clauses. These are practical, real-world issues that could save you thousands of dollars if you know how to handle them correctly. Listen to the full episode to hear our detailed advice for each situation.

As always, links to the resources supporting each question can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

The lithium boom sweeping across U.S. oil and gas fields promises transformative new revenue streams for mineral rights owners, but the economic reality behind Direct Lithium Extraction projects tells a far more complicated story than the headlines suggest. In this episode, we break down the actual numbers from Standard Lithium's Southwest Arkansas project—including the staggering capital costs, projected timelines, and the critical price assumptions that determine whether these ventures will ever generate royalties for mineral owners. If you own minerals in the Smackover Formation or any region being targeted for lithium extraction, you need to understand these economics before signing any lease or making decisions about your mineral rights.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Happy New Year! In this month's news episode, we cover several important developments affecting mineral rights owners and the broader oil and gas industry (of course the elephant is the room is the capture of Nicolas Maduro but that happened after we recorded this episode, so stay tuned to next month's news episode for our analysis of those events and how they could affect the oil markets).

This month's discussion ranges from a new federal mineral auction platform that mineral buyers should bookmark, to geopolitical tensions with Venezuela that are creating headlines (but may have limited oil price impact as we saw after the US took over Venezuelan oil production). We analyze the latest price forecasts showing oil likely trading in the $60-$70 range through 2026 while natural gas prices have approximately doubled from last year's lows. We examine early 2026 capital budget guidance from major producers and we break down the latest rig count data.

As always, links to the articles and resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we tackle one of the most overlooked aspects of mineral ownership: organization and communication with your heirs. Whether you have a small mineral interest or manage a complex portfolio across multiple states, proper organization isn't just about neat filing—it's about preserving your family's financial future and preventing costly mistakes after you're gone. We explore practical systems for documenting your mineral assets, strategies for having productive conversations with family members about your holdings, and critical warning signs that indicate your estate plan needs attention. From simple spreadsheet templates to comprehensive documentation strategies, this episode provides a roadmap for ensuring your mineral legacy doesn't become a burden of confusion and lost value for the next generation.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.