Land service
Oil and gas title research
We search the county records for a tract and set out what we find in a runsheet, so the person reading it can follow the chain without going back to the courthouse.
How we run it
We use modern software, including AI tools, to read and sort instrument images, keep runsheet rows in one consistent layout and check names, dates and descriptions against each other. A landman reviews every runsheet before it goes out. When a project covers many tracts or counties, we spread it across our network of contract landmen so the counties are worked at the same time.
What it covers
- Runsheets. Every instrument that touches the tract, in order, with book and page, dates, parties, the land it describes and whether it moved title.
- Mineral ownership reports. A summary of who owns what interest in the minerals, built from the runsheet.
- Cursory title and lease take-offs. A faster look at current ownership and open leases when you do not need a full chain.
- Bring-downs and supplements. An update from the last date searched to a new date, so an older runsheet stays usable.
How far back
We agree on the search depth before we start, because it changes the amount of work more than anything else.
- Current owner. Start from the present owner's source deed and work forward.
- A set number of years. Run back to a date you choose, then forward to the present.
- Patent to present. Start with the original grant from the government and run the whole chain. Some counties keep older records in a different book or index, and we plan for that when we scope the job.
What to send
- County and state
- Legal description (section, township and range, or lot and block)
- Search depth and the effective date you want
- Anything already done, such as an earlier runsheet or opinion
- Your format, or your template if you have one
What you get
- A runsheet in a spreadsheet, using the column layout on the samples page or yours
- Images of the instruments, named so they match the runsheet
- A short cover note listing instruments that raise questions, such as gaps in the chain or description problems
What we do not do
- We do not write title opinions or give legal advice.
- A runsheet is a record search. It does not say who owns what as a matter of law. That is for the examining attorney.
Related
Send a scope for title research
Send the county, the legal description and how far back to go. Many tracts or many counties are fine, and we flag the odd files in the cover note. Ask for a quote and tell us your due date. Write to jc@sectionlineland.com.