Beware the Fine Print
By David Duran (Taken from TLMA Newsletter, March 2005)

The next time your eyes lock on to the sight of a check you receive in the mail, make sure and read the fine print. There have been a rash of mineral rights scams circulating around in the past few years.  Scammers target landowners with mineral interests, or people who receive royalties on mineral interests.  The scammers can find lists of these holdings at any county clerk’s office and use that as a starting point to mail out a wave of letters, hoping to fool at least some of their targets.  The letter received from the scammer may have confusing wording, misleading the target to thinking they’re signing a lease, or something other than the intent to take ownership of the mineral interest. If the target then cashes an accompanied check, they lose their rights to the property. (read entire story)

RRC Bags Bad Operator
Begins New Era of Strong Enforcement
NEWS from Railroad Commission Chairman 
Michael L. Williams (March 2003)

Austin, TX—On Tuesday, the Texas Railroad Commission began a new era in the enforcement of Commission rules.

In ordering a $125,000 penalty against Autry C. Stephens and his successor company, Endeavor Energy Resources L. P., the Commission levied the largest fine in recent history against an oil and gas operator. (Chairman Williams had sought the maximum penalty of $250,000.)

"I hope operators take from this action that we arc serious about enforcing our rules, said Williams.

A Railroad Commission investigation found that Endeavor Energy Resources engaged in a practice of misreporting production on required Commission P-1 forms. From August 30, 1999 to August 31, 2000, Endeavor submitted 250 false production reports indicating total production of one barrel rather than zero, which would have been the truth. Many of the leases were incapable of producing. While investigating the matter, the Commission found that is was Endeavor company policy not to report zero production for its leases. (read entire story)