About Oil and Gas Survey Permits in Texas

Oil and gas pipeline construction is rampant in Texas. And when oil or gas pipelines are constructed, landowners are typically contacted by builders for easements and survey permission. While some landowners give immediate permission to builders, it is usually advisable to use an appropriate survey permit to govern the pipeline company’s surveying activities, particularly for seismic or geophysical permits. Thus, both landowners and oil and gas companies should understand such permits, as they are a common legal component of oil and gas pipeline construction. Below is some additional information on oil and gas survey permits in Texas. 

What Issues Should a Survey Permit Include?

Survey permits should, at a minimum, include the following:

• Limitations or guidelines on the use of existing roads and any damage to roads

• The proper legal description of the property

• Notice to the landowner of the times and dates the survey crew will enter the property and complete the work

• Designation of the property's access points 

• Limitations on the area where the work can be done

• Limitations on the kinds of work that can be done 

• A description of the equipment to be used

• Indemnities for any damages and claims for injuries

• A description of the remedies available to the landowner if the survey crew violates the terms of the permit

However, keep in mind that the above list isn't complete, as additional issues may need to be addressed depending on the circumstances. Therefore, if you require a survey permit, it is recommended that you first consult with a Texas oil and gas attorney. Also, if you are a landowner and don't want a pipeline on your property, it's important to keep in mind that you may not have a choice in the matter if the pipeline is going to be a common carrier pipeline. Therefore, both landowners and oil and gas companies should consult with legal counsel prior to the execution of a survey permit.  

Texas Oil and Gas Attorney

Oil and gas laws in Texas are always changing. Therefore, it’s imperative that professionals involved in the energy industry have reliable, experienced, and knowledgeable legal representation to help guide them through the ever-changing energy landscape. In the areas of oil and gas, it’s particularly important to ensure that all contracts are properly drafted. Oil and gas contracts are highly sophisticated documents, and it’s important that they be drafted in a manner that ensures the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. At the Law Office of C. William Smalling, P.C., our lawyers are experienced in the drafting and review of contracts typically used in the energy industry, including farmout agreements, joint operating agreements, master service agreements, drilling contracts, licensing agreements for use of seismic or technical data, and nondisclosure agreements. If you are in need of expert oil and gas legal representation, contact us today for a consultation.