Opinion ID: 1819129
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Rights of the Mineral Developer

Text: Ownership of oil and gas rights carries with it by implication the means of enjoying the mineral estate. The mineral owner has the right to enter upon and make reasonable use of the surface for exploration and development of mineral deposits. E. Kuntz, Oil and Gas, § 3.2 (1987). A severed mineral interest normally includes development and executive rights, i.e., the right to drill or execute an oil and gas lease. 1 H. Williams & C. Meyers, Oil and Gas Law, § 202.2 (1986). An oil and gas lessee is entitled to do whatever is expressly provided for in the lease. Moreover, an oil and gas lease also carries with it the incidental or implied right of the lessee to use as much of the land's surface and in such manner as is reasonably necessary for him to effectuate the purposes of the lease and perform the obligations imposed by the lease. Ricks Exploration Co. v. Oklahoma Water Resources Bd., 695 P.2d 498 (Okla.1984); Sanford v. Arjay Oil Co., 686 P.2d 566 (Wyo.1984); TDC Engineering, Inc. v. Dunlap, 686 S.W.2d 346 (Tex.App.1985). In this case, the granting clause of the lease gives the lessee the right to conduct specific types of operations on the leased 1,840 acres. It also grants all rights, privileges and easements useful for Lessee's operations on said land and on lands in the same field with a common oil and gas reservoir.  Thus, the lease allows activities on the leased land that benefit other mineral interests without benefiting the Heikkila mineral interest. There is, however, no right to operate on other parts of the ranch, and any activity on another part of the ranch would trespass outside the scope of the lease.