Debunking Common Misconceptions About Landmen: What They Actually Do in the Oil & Gas Industry
Howdy folks! Welcome back!
With the upcoming release of Taylor Sheridan’s new series Landman, many people are about to get a glimpse into the life of a Landman. Having been an oil and gas attorney and Landman for over 12 years, I can tell you there are a lot of misconceptions about what Landmen actually do. In this blog, we’re going to break down those misconceptions and explain the crucial role Landmen play in the oil and gas industry.
What Is a Landman?
First things first, a Landman is essentially the dealmaker in the oil and gas world. We are experts in mineral rights, land ownership, and title, and as I often say, everything in oil and gas starts and ends with the land. Without the legal rights to drill on the land, an oil company can’t do anything, which is why Landmen are a critical part of the process. Our primary job is to secure legal rights from mineral owners so that oil companies can drill wells and produce resources.
The Difference Between Mineral Ownership and Surface Ownership
One common area of confusion is the distinction between mineral ownership and surface ownership. Let me explain with an example:
Let’s say Farmer John purchased 40 acres of land back in 1920. In 1960, he sold the land, but because he knew there was oil and gas potential, he chose to reserve the mineral rights on the deed. What this means is that whoever owns the surface of the land today has no claim to the oil and gas beneath it. The mineral rights belong to Farmer John—or more accurately, to his heirs. If Farmer John had four children, and each of his children had four children, the mineral rights could now be owned by 16 different people, scattered across the country from New York to Los Angeles.
So who figures out who owns those mineral rights? That’s the Landman’s job.
What Landmen Actually Do
A Landman’s job is far more complex than you might think. We don’t just work with individual landowners; we also broker deals between oil and gas companies, searching for hidden opportunities no one else has noticed. The vast majority of our work, however, isn’t done in the field but behind a computer.
While I film videos in the field because it’s what people want to see, I spend most of my time at a computer researching records, modeling deals, and identifying potential opportunities. Yes, I’ll meet with landowners when necessary, but the idea that being a Landman is some sort of dangerous, rough-and-tumble job is far from reality.
Misconceptions About Landmen
“Landmen Are Out to Get You”
Like any profession, oil and gas has its bad apples. Some individuals may see an opportunity and exploit it, but this is far from the norm. Oil and gas is a tight-knit industry, and a bad reputation will quickly catch up to anyone who behaves unethically. The best Landmen are those who treat people with respect and conduct business with integrity. In my dealings, I always meet people where they are and treat them with dignity.
“Landmen Are Always in the Field”
While shows like Landman may portray Landmen as being constantly out on the land, this isn’t reflective of reality. Most of our work involves researching titles, tracing mineral ownership, and building deals—usually from behind a desk. The fieldwork is only a small part of the job.
Want to Become a Landman?
If you’re interested in becoming a Landman, it’s important to recognize the role requires patience, attention to detail, and a genuine ability to connect with people. It’s not all about rugged fieldwork; it’s about building relationships, understanding land and mineral law, and making the right deals.
In fact, I’m about to launch a course focused on becoming a Landman, specifically in the area of mineral rights acquisition. If you’re interested in getting a head start, shoot me an email at steven@mineralsguy.com, and I’ll add you to the waitlist for early access.
