Court Opinion

ID: 9760159
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 00:41:31.048595+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:08.572534
License: Public Domain

BOYD, Justice
(dissenting in part).
I concur in the reversal of the judgment which granted an injunction on the application of the adjoining property owners; but I think the judgment which granted an injunction on the application of the royalty owners should be reversed.
The purchaser of all the estate except one-half of the royalty has the privilege of leasing for mineral development. He also has the privilege of drilling. The “privilege” to lease or drill is also the privilege not to lease or drill. He therefore may, but he is not required to, explore for minerals, and, if he finds any, develop the mineral potential. The original owner had that right, but parted with it, and cannot now demand that mineral development be had, nor interfere with the use of the surface. The present owner of the land has only the obligation to deliver to the royalty owners one-half of the royalty on whatever minerals are produced. If none is produced, for whatever reason, they get nothing.