Services

Lease Take Off

Looking to find fresh sources of oil or gas? We’ll do the groundwork. After identifying all the oil and gas leases in a designated area, we’ll compile that data into a map. The information will give you a clear understanding of the existing Held By Production stakes in a locale and whether there are available leases for acquisition.

Due Diligence

Before you drill, we’ll tap our wellspring of knowledge to locate all the relevant records, titles and leases in a tract of land. Our team prides itself on meticulous detective work. We’re thorough. When we audit a seller’s records, we’ll ensure that each ownership claim is 100% accurate, verify the value of the holding, and present you with a report that details all the acquisitions and divestitures on a tract of land. Once we’ve concluded our investigations, you’ll be able to commence operations secure in the knowledge that there won’t be any future complications as a result of competing claims or incomplete information.

Runsheets for Title Opinions and Title Curative

You want to be sure all your bases are covered before drilling a well. To that end, we research and compile all documents that have been filed in the county clerk’s office about each tract. We don’t miss a thing. If a decades-old piece of paperwork was filed under a different section of the courthouse than usual, we’ll catch it thanks to specialized knowledge born of local experience.

William Stewart & Associates won’t just track down every bit of relevant paperwork to each unit tract. We’ll also make it easier for an attorney to render a title opinion by scanning the copies of each instrument onto a computer disc. By contrast, many land service firms dump several boxes worth of paperwork on an attorney’s desk and hope that he’ll be able to rummage through the documents. William Stewart & Associates provides a detailed spreadsheet that itemizes each type of instrument, the date, the volume, and page. All the attorney has to do is click on a hyperlink to each page to ease the process of drawing up a stand up title opinion and curing the title. That sort of careful organization covers you from mistakes and overlooked details.

Lease Acquisition

Once we’ve identified who owns the mineral rights of the tracts you’re keen to acquire, we’ll step in to seal the deal for you. Thanks to our regional knowledge, we know what the going market rates are in the area.

Pipeline Acquisition

The flow of your business is important to us. That’s why we’re dedicated to finding you the best pipelines for your resource. In each state, we employ seasoned easement specialists to negotiate the most economical and efficient route for your oil or gas. In East Texas, for example, our Right of Way Agents are all licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission — something our competitors can’t always claim.

Surface Damage Negotiation

Negotiating terms with a land owner about the installation of drill pads, access roads, and pipelines is often hazardous. The most recalcitrant property owners may counteroffer with the threat of a lawsuit or even intimidation with a shotgun! Fortunately, William Stewart & Associates employs the most experienced negotiators in the business. Our local knowledge and community ties are key to facilitating effective dialogue with property owners. We’re able to assess and appraise the damage and displacement issues at hand and bargain on our clients’ behalf to reach mutually agreed upon settlements.

Mapping

Before you drill, you’ll need the most accurate information about the terrain of the property and surrounding areas. We provide multidimensional geospatial maps created with a GIS-based mapping system called Arc View in addition to Auto CAD. That way, we can provide you with up-to-the-minute visual details of a range of data including geographical information, surface structures, environmentally sensitive areas, and titles and deeds. You’ll have a complete read on the area of drilling before you draw up your plans.

Surveyor Support

William A. Stewart & Associates provide across-the-board resources for surveyors, both remote and on-site. Whether your surveyor needs a micro-detailed map emailed to him or specific volumes and pages of deeds from the courthouse, we’ll come through every time.