The course is focused on domestic onshore oil and gas law, including common property interests created in oil and gas and in the land from which they are produced. The course includes consideration of the nature of an owner’s interest in oil and gas; the creation and duration of mineral leases and their components; the rights and duties between lessor and lessee; the nature and characteristics of a mineral fee; the rights and duties between mineral and surface owners; the different kinds of royalty and mineral interests; and, protection of interests in oil and gas properties against trespassers and wrongful claimants. Also included are issues raised by modern horizontal drilling and fracturing; regulation of exploration and production; and, introductions to environmental regulation of oil and gas.
Evaluation of student performance, in large part (approximately 95%), is based on a closed-book final examination consisting of short-answer questions and essay questions. The remaining portion of the course grade will be based on class attendance and participation.
Textbooks ( * denotes required )
Cases and Materials on Oil and Gas Law
*
Lowe, Anderson, Smith, et al.
West Academic Publishing
,
edition: Seventh
ISBN: 978-1-68328-832-9
Forms Manual to Cases and Materials on Oil and Gas Law(optional)
Lowe, Anderson, Smith, et al.
West Academic Publishing
,
edition: Seventh
ISBN: 078-1-68328-830-5
Beckworth, John B 
Balagia, Jack 