It’s critical to understand the history and current value of your mineral rights to ensure you are maximizing your opportunities as the rightful owner. Whether you are looking to sell or simply audit your portfolio, Valor’s expert mineral management team is here to provide the clarity you need to manage your legacy
Understanding Texas Mineral Rights Value Fluctuation
Texas remains the “king” of oil and gas in the United States. It produces more historically than any other state, and for generations, mineral rights have been divided among the heirs of legacy oil-holding families. However, value is never static. In 2025, factors such as global energy demand, technological shifts in extraction, and regional pipeline capacity cause values to fluctuate monthly. Owners today need more than a guess; they need a data-driven valuation.
Location Matters: A Basin-by-Basin Breakdown
There are massive differences in the value of Texas mineral rights depending on where they are located. Owning in the heart of the Midland Basin is typically more valuable than owning in speculative areas like Llano, Texas.
• The Permian Basin (Midland & Delaware): In 2025, high-density production zones here command the highest premiums, often ranging from $15,000 to $25,000+ per net mineral acre.
• Eagle Ford (South Texas): Values here remain stabilized, offering attractive returns for owners in mature, low-risk production zones.
• Haynesville (East Texas): This region has seen a 2025 resurgence due to increased natural gas demand, making East Texas rights more competitive than they were five years ago.
The Three Stages of Valuation
1. Producing Rights: If you receive a monthly royalty check, your value is usually a multiple of that income—typically 4 to 6 years (48–72 months) of average monthly royalty checks.
2. Leased (Non-Producing): If your land is leased but not yet drilling, the value is often 2 to 3 times the last lease bonus paid per acre.
3. Speculative (Non-Leased): This is the baseline value, determined by what speculators are willing to pay for future potential.
Not Every Operator is Equal
Oil and gas operators vary significantly; each one is different. Some operate with superior technology and provide more value to the mineral owners by extracting more “Barrels of Oil Equivalent” (BOE) per foot. Knowing who operates your property and their history of “post-production deductions” is beneficial in knowing the true value of your minerals. At Valor, our oil and gas back-office experts audit these operators to ensure you aren’t leaving money on the table
Advice for Heirs: The “Step-Up Basis”
If you have recently inherited mineral rights, your most important step isn’t selling—it’s establishing a Fair Market Value (FMV) as of the date of the previous owner’s death. This “Step-Up Basis” can save your family significant capital gains taxes if you choose to sell in the future.
Find a Trusted Professional
Finding a professional mineral management company is the best route to learning more about what you own and what it might be worth. A Certified Mineral Manager at Valor can help you discover the hidden value of your portfolio and provide revenue optimization for your rights.
FAQ: People Also Ask
• How long does it take to value Texas mineral rights? A professional valuation typically takes 15–30 days, depending on the availability of county records and production data.
• Can I sell my mineral rights but keep my surface rights? Yes. In Texas, the mineral estate is the “dominant estate” and can be completely severed from the surface land.
• What is a “Net Mineral Acre”? Valuation is always calculated per Net Mineral Acre (NMA), which represents your fractional ownership of the total acreage.
Contact Valor Today
Contact us today if you need help see how our mineral management solutions can help you organize, optimize, and monitor your assets.
The information provided by Valor in this blog is for general informational purposes only, not to provide specific recommendations or legal or tax-related advice. The blog/website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
