The Mineral Rights Podcast: Mineral Rights | Royalties | Oil and Gas | Matt Sands

In this episode we discuss the latest oil & gas and mineral rights news for August of 2025. From an oil market characterized by uncertainty and volatility, the latest outlook for precious metals, and what the future holds for fossil fuels (you might be surprised by the answer), we explore how geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty are creating ripple effects throughout the energy sector. As always, we wrap up with the latest drilling rig count and a discussion on where things might head next.

Links to the articles and resources mentioned can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Mineral and royalty owners face unique cybersecurity risks that most people never consider. From fraudulent emails requesting banking changes to sophisticated scams targeting royalty payments, cybercriminals increasingly view mineral owners as attractive targets due to their regular income streams and valuable assets. In this essential episode, we break down the most common digital threats facing mineral owners and provide straightforward, non-technical strategies to protect your personal information, financial accounts, and royalty payments. Whether you're tech-savvy or prefer to keep things simple, you'll discover practical steps you can implement immediately to safeguard your mineral income and personal data from online criminals. As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this technical but accessible episode, we demystify Decline Curve Analysis (DCA), the proven scientific method that oil companies have used for 80 years to predict how much oil and gas a well will produce over its lifetime. This episode is essential listening for mineral owners who want to understand how their future royalty payments are calculated and why their checks start high and then decline over time. Be sure to listen as I tell you how you can learn to forecast your future royalty payments yourself (and when you have your minerals valued you will understand the process that is used).+

As always, links to the resources mentioned can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we tackle questions submitted by Jean, Cole, Stuart, Melissa, Greg, Janet, C.J., and Lowell ranging from finding updated unit descriptions in Texas to organizing digital records and planning for the next generation. The episode provides practical guidance on navigating state regulatory websites, understanding the differences between production and sales volumes, establishing tax basis for mineral sales, and preventing mineral rights fragmentation through proper estate planning.

As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month's mineral rights news episode, we cover significant developments affecting mineral and royalty owners across the United States including a new USGS report on untapped oil under federal lands, recent Arkansas lithium royalty decisions, recent geopolitical impacts on oil markets, and shifting drilling patterns across major U.S. basins!

As always links to the articles and resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this month's listener Q&A episode, we tackle seven diverse questions covering inheritance challenges, tax strategies, emerging lithium opportunities, and practical lease evaluation. Be sure to listen to hear actionable guidance for mineral owners navigating complex situations, from dealing with inherited properties to understanding the difference between pooling and allocation wells. As always, links to the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

https://mineralrightspodcast.com/mrp-289-the-essential-learning-guide-for-mineral-owners/Managing mineral rights and royalties can feel overwhelming, especially when you're first starting out or have recently inherited these assets. The oil and gas industry operates with its own complex language of technical terms and acronyms that can make even seasoned professionals feel lost at times. However, with the right educational foundation and knowing where to find reliable information, mineral owners can successfully navigate this landscape and make informed decisions about their valuable assets. This episode provides a curated guide to the most valuable learning resources available today, from beginner-friendly organizations to advanced technical references.

Links to these resources can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode, we share our favorite tools and resources for managing mineral rights and royalties effectively. As we have discussed in the past, there are four key phases to getting a handle on your minerals: knowing what you own, understanding different types of oil and gas interests, locating your property and researching activity, and determining value. Mineral and royalty management is a step-by-step journey where different tools become relevant at different times so we talk about the essential tools that we recommend for each step in your mineral management journey.

Be sure to bookmark the show notes for this episode which you can find at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode of the Mineral Rights Podcast, I cover significant developments affecting mineral and royalty owners across the United States. The episode examines North Dakota's recent legislation establishing royalty rates for rare earth minerals, analyzes the implications of the new US-Ukraine critical minerals agreement on US mineral owners, highlights a major USGS resource assessment in Wyoming, and provides the latest drilling activity updates.

As always, links to the articles mentioned and additional resources can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Jon Corkern serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO), bringing a unique combination of nonprofit management expertise and personal mineral ownership experience to the role. His path to NARO began not through an oil and gas industry background, but as a mineral rights owner who found himself overwhelmed by lease offers and complex paperwork related to his mineral interests. Like many NARO members, Corkern initially had no idea how to evaluate whether offers were fair or what steps he should take to protect his interests. Through his connection with past NARO president David Smith, he discovered the organization and quickly recognized both its value and his potential to contribute. His background in managing nonprofit organizations, combined with his firsthand understanding of the challenges mineral owners face, made him an ideal fit for leading NARO's mission to educate and support royalty owners across the country. Under his leadership, NARO continues to expand its educational resources and member services while working to increase awareness of the organization among mineral owners who often struggle in isolation with complex industry decisions.

For a limited time, new members can save $25 off an introductory membership. More information can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.