Some States Restrict the Oil Industry From Taking Mineral Owners’ Earnings. Not North Dakota.

Some states restrict the oil industry from taking mineral owners’ earnings. Not North Dakota.

BISMARCK — Millions of Americans own the rights to oil and gas underground. When they’re approached by an energy company to lease out those rights, they’re offered a cut of the revenue, called a royalty. “Royalties saved our place,” said James Horob, a farmer in northwest North Dakota, who used oil royalties to rescue his family’s farm from bankruptcy in 2008 and replace equipment that had been auctioned off. “We’re lucky to have what we got.” H…

They Can’t Get Answers From the Oil Industry or North Dakota.

Neil Christensen and his family started noticing deductions from their royalty payments about a decade ago.

Some States Restrict the Oil Industry From Taking Mineral Owners’ Earnings. Not North Dakota.

At least seven states limit the costs oil and gas companies can pass on to the people they lease drilling rights from. Here’s how North Dakota differs when it comes to protecting the interests of mineral owners.