If you own property in Pennsylvania, there’s a chance it includes valuable mineral rights. But what happens when you want to sell, gift, or pass down those rights to someone else? That’s where oil and gas ownership transfers come in—and getting them right is critical.
At Kostrub Law, we work with landowners across Pittsburgh and surrounding areas to handle the legal side of transferring mineral interests. Whether it’s part of a sale, an estate plan, or a family arrangement, we help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure everything is legally sound.
What Is an Oil and Gas Ownership Transfer?
An oil and gas ownership transfer is the legal process of changing who owns the mineral rights beneath a property. These rights can be sold, gifted, or inherited, and they’re separate from the surface rights of the land.
In many cases, people don’t realize they even have these rights—especially if they inherited land or bought it years ago. But once oil or gas production starts, ownership suddenly becomes a major issue, especially when royalties are involved.
Types of Ownership Transfers in Pennsylvania
There are several ways to legally transfer oil and gas interests:
- Sale of Mineral Rights
Landowners may choose to sell their mineral rights outright to another person or company. This requires a properly drafted deed and a clear title.
- Gifting or Inheritance
Mineral rights can be passed down through wills, trusts, or even gifted during one’s lifetime. This is common in estate planning.
- Transfer Through Lease Agreements
Sometimes, rights aren’t sold but leased. A lease gives another party the right to extract resources, while you retain ownership. These leases often include royalty payments.
Each method requires legal accuracy. Mistakes can delay payments, cause disputes, or even result in lost rights.
Why Ownership Transfers Often Go Wrong
Oil and gas ownership transactions are more complicated than a simple property sale. Here are a few reasons they go wrong:
- Incomplete or incorrect legal descriptions
- Missing heirs or unresolved estates
- Outdated deeds or unreleased interests
- Lack of a proper title opinion
- Errors in recorded documents
At Kostrub Law, we help you avoid these issues. Our legal team reviews existing records, prepares the correct documents, and files everything according to Pennsylvania law.
Title Opinions: The Foundation of Every Transfer
Before any transfer takes place—especially in an oil and gas transaction—a title opinion is crucial. This document confirms who owns the mineral rights and whether the title is “marketable,” or free of problems.
We prepare title opinions such as:
- Drilling Title Opinions – to confirm the right to drill on a property
- Division Order Title Opinions – to determine how royalties should be split
These reports are necessary for companies before they pay royalties or begin production. If there’s a defect, it must be fixed through curative title litigation or other legal tools before the transfer can proceed.
How Kostrub Law Supports Energy Law Transactions
As a trusted energy law firm in Pittsburgh, we work closely with individuals and families to complete oil and gas ownership transfers properly. Our energy law services include:
- Drafting and reviewing mineral deeds
- Preparing lease and royalty agreements
- Conducting title reviews and opinions
- Resolving disputes over ownership
- Working with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission when needed
- Coordinating with estate planning attorneys to ensure proper succession
Each transfer is different, so we tailor our approach based on your situation—whether you’re selling your rights or planning to leave them to your children.
Protecting Oil and Gas Interests Through Estate Planning
Many clients don’t realize that oil and gas interests should be addressed in their estate plans. If you pass away without naming who should receive your mineral rights, your family may face lengthy and expensive legal issues.
Our estate planning lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA specialize in handling oil and gas assets as part of your will or trust. We make sure these valuable interests are clearly accounted for, minimizing confusion and avoiding probate disputes.
We also provide asset protection strategies for residents of areas like Upper St. Clair, helping ensure that your mineral rights stay in the family and don’t become vulnerable to creditors or legal challenges.
Document Preparation You Can Trust
Kostrub Law isn’t just about giving legal advice—we also handle all necessary document preparation to finalize your transfer. From deeds and leases to affidavits and probate forms, we ensure your paperwork is accurate, filed correctly, and legally binding.
Whether it’s your first time dealing with mineral rights or you’ve been through this process before, our attorneys are here to make it smooth and understandable.
When to Contact an Oil and Gas Lawyer
If you’re facing any of the following, it’s time to call a qualified oil and gas lawyer:
- You want to sell or gift mineral rights
- You’re planning your estate and need to include oil or gas interests
- You’re unsure who owns the mineral rights on your land
- You’ve been offered a lease or purchase contract by a gas company
- You want to protect your rights before signing a deal
At Kostrub Law, we’ll review your options and guide you through every step. We’re not just lawyers—we’re your legal partner through the full lifecycle of oil and gas ownership.
Why Work with Kostrub Law?
We combine energy law experience with estate planning and title expertise. That means you don’t have to hire multiple firms—we handle everything under one roof. As one of the few oil landowner law firms in Pittsburgh, PA, we understand how personal and high-stakes these decisions are.
Clients trust us because we explain things clearly, keep them informed, and always work toward practical, long-term results.
Learn more about our team at KostrubLaw.com or get directions to our office on Google Maps.
Final Thoughts
Oil and gas ownership transfers in Pennsylvania can be complicated—but with the right legal guidance, they don’t have to be stressful. At Kostrub Law, we help you secure your rights, protect your income, and plan for the future with confidence.
If you’re ready to make a transfer, plan your estate, or simply understand your rights, reach out today to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys.