• Selling Mineral Rights
    • Sell Oil & Gas Royalties
    • Why Sell Your Mineral Rights?
    • Mineral Rights Value
    • Producing vs Non-producing Mineral Rights
    • Are Your Minerals in an Active Area?
    • Four Things for Older Mineral Owners to Consider
  • Mineral Rights 101
    • Types of Mineral Rights
    • Mineral Management
    • Locating Your Mineral Rights (Map Search)
    • Oil & Gas Royalty Statement
    • Transferring the Ownership of Mineral Rights
    • Finding Unclaimed Mineral Rights
    • Mineral Management Books
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    • Buying Mineral Rights
    • Why Are My Royalty Checks Low?
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Finding Unclaimed
Mineral Rights


Search Unclaimed Property Records for Oil and Gas Royalty Payments

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Mineral Royalties & Unclaimed Property

When a mineral owner cannot be paid for a period of 1-5 years, the operator can escheat (turn over) the funds to the state, where they will become Unclaimed Property. There are millions of dollars of unclaimed royalties just waiting for their rightful owner to file a claim. You can file a claim on unclaimed royalties (also called production payments) in your name or the names of those from whom you have inherited property. To find unclaimed royalties, we recommend searching the following states:

We recommend searching the national unclaimed property database, MissingMoney.com. Not all states participate, though.


Search for unclaimed royalties in the state where the mineral rights are located.


Check the unclaimed property records in the state where the mineral owner resides (or their last known address).


Search for unclaimed property in the state where the oil and gas operator is located (or incorporated).


Always check for unclaimed royalties in Delaware, where many companies are incorporated. Delaware does not participate in the national database, MissingMoney.com, so you will have to check separately..

Where to Find Unclaimed Royalties and Production Payments


We recommend searching for unclaimed royalties in the national database, the state where the minerals are located, the state where you reside, the state where the operator's headquarters are located, and Delaware (because many companies are incorporated in Delaware). The following table contains links where you can search for unclaimed royalties in each of the top oil and gas producing states.

StateDormancy PeriodLink to Search Unclaimed Funds
NationalN/AMissing Money National Database
Alabama3 YearsAlabama State Treasury
Alaska3 YearsAlaska Department of Revenue, Treasury Division
Arkansas3 YearsArkansas Office of Auditor of State
California3 YearsCalifornia State Controller's Office
Colorado5 YearsColorado State Treasurer's Office
Delaware5 YearsDelaware Department of Finance
Florida5 YearsFlorida Department of Financial Services
Kansas5 YearsKansas State Treasurer's Office
Louisiana2 YearsLouisiana State Treasurer's Office
Mississippi5 YearsMississippi Office of the State Treasurer
Montana5 YearsMontana Department of Revenue
New Mexico5 YearsTaxation & Revenue Department
North Dakota3 YearNorth Dakota Department of Trust Lands
Ohio1 YearsOhio Department of Commerce
Oklahoma5 YearsOklahoma State Treasurer's Office
Pennsylvania3 YearsPennsylvania Treasury Department
South Dakota3 YearsSouth Dakota Office of the State Treasurer
Texas3 YearsTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Utah3 YearsUtah State Treasurer's Office
West Virginia5 YearsWest Virginia State Treasurer’s Office
Wyoming3 YearsWyoming Office of the State Treasurer

How Royalties End Up as Unclaimed Property


Oil and gas production payments and royalties end up in unclaimed property for a variety of reasons. Usually, it is because the operator cannot locate or otherwise disburse funds to the royalty owner. Here are some common reasons royalties are escheated to the state as unclaimed property:

  • Cannot locate mineral owner
  • Outdated address
  • Mineral owner passed away
  • Division orders were never signed
  • Title issue (either a defect or cloud in the title)
  • Pending lawsuit
  • And more




Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalty Examples


Each state has its own method of displaying unclaimed properties. Some list only the name and address of the person, while others give additional information such as the payor, type of property, and dollar amount.

Often, when searching for mineral rights, you have to be familiar with oil and gas companies as they may be the only indicator that a specific unclaimed property is an oil or gas production payment.

These examples will help you identify which properties are related to oil and gas royalties and production payments.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Royalties?


You can claim unclaimed property of all types if you are the rightful owner of the property or if you have inherited property from the rightful owner. The state will require evidence that you are who you say you are and that you have the right to claim the property. If you are claiming property from someone you inherited property from, you may have to show evidence of inheritance or complete an Affidavit of Heirship (AOH).

States are actively trying to avoid identity theft and fraud, so the burden of proof can be high.

Unclaimed property can be a great way to discover mineral rights that have been "lost" over the years. When mineral rights are not producing, they can easily be overlooked when one owner dies, and the ownership is transferred to the heirs. Unclaimed property is a great way to locate mineral rights that you (or your family) were previously unaware of.

Mineral Rights Value

What are your mineral rights worth?


Mineral rights are typically valued as a multiple of monthly revenue. Unless the well or wells are very new or about to be plugged, the rule of thumb is 3-5 years of revenue. Whether the value is closer to the 3-year mark or the 5-year mark will depend on a variety of factors, such as location, production volume, commodity prices, lease terms, operator, and likelihood for future drilling.

Non-producing mineral rights can be valued by multiplying the number of net mineral acres (NMA) that you own by the going lease rate, which is often the lease bonus.

The best way to determine the value of your mineral rights is to request a quote. Requesting a quote does NOT obligate you to sell.

Request a Quote

Why Sell?


People sell mineral rights for a variety of reasons. As a mineral owner, you are fortunate to own an asset that can be quickly converted to cash. It is advisable to sell while you are still receiving royalties - after all, oil and gas are finite resources, and all well eventually run dry. It's better to sell early and maximize the value.

Why People Sell Their Minerals Rights:


I am one of the millions who lost their job due to the COVID-19 lockdown. I sold my minerals to get me through this terrible time. If my grandmother could see our current situation, she would understand. I'm so grateful to have had minerals to sell. Many people don't have this option.S Barnes

With the price of oil declining and operators practically giving gas away, I decided to sell before the bottom falls out.J. Cruz

I am on a fixed income, and the sale of these minerals will help me secure stable housing. My children will be okay if even if they don't inherit these minerals.S. Owens

My oil wells have been producing for decades and the reserves are almost depleted. Once the wells are plugged, the value will be significantly lower. I'd rather cash out now.R. Robertson

I inherited mineral rights, but don't want to be involved with fracking and fossil fuels. I would prefer to support renewable energy and do my part to reverse climate change.P. Harris

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About Blue Mesa Minerals

We buy producing and non-producing minerals

in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and

other oil and gas producing states.


We also buy wind energy royalties from landowners who host wind turbines on their property.


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