"Minerals" include many valuable subsurface rights or interests, such as oil and gas. The definition varies and should not be clarified except as stated in the instrument. Those rights may include the right to use the surface for exploration or development. You should not interpret the instrument, trace the ownership of the interest, or separately insure mineral rights (unless you secure approval from the Company). Where the Policy refers to excepted minerals in the Schedule A description, the Company also prefers to except to the minerals in Schedule B. If possible, you should insure only the “surface estate” in Schedule A, if all minerals are outstanding and you should then except to all minerals in Schedule B.
Liability, if any, arising from the lack of distinct and separate tax assessments of the land and the ________ estate, interest, or leases.
Comment: If the land contains producing substances that are not separately taxed, the taxing authority may later retroactively assess taxes against the surface owner who has an interest in the substances. The substances (e.g., “oil and gas,” “coal,” etc.) should be identified.
The document recorded ___________ states that if affects that portion of the land lying below a depth of __________ feet from the surface of the land.
Comment: A lease or grant of minerals sometimes applies only to such substances below a stated depth. However, this exception is not appropriate if the mineral reservation only waives the surface rights to such depth.
A community oil and gas lease, executed by ______, as lessor and _______ as lessee, recorded _____________.
Comment: This exception applies to a community oil and gas or pooling agreement.
The right of surface entry and exploration has been waived or released by document recorded _________________.
Comment: You should use this provision with the mineral exception only if the waiver is unconditional and is signed by all mineral owners.
The right of surface entry and exploration are subject to the terms contained in document recorded ____________.
Comment: You should use this provision with the mineral exception if the waiver contains conditions (e.g., right to locate, etc.) and is signed by all mineral owners.
Terms and provisions of that surface waiver agreement executed by _________, recorded _________.
Comment: You should use this exception if you are not satisfied or willing to determine that all mineral owners joined in the surface waiver.
An undivided ____________ mineral and/or royalty interest, and the royalties, bonuses, rentals and all other rights in connection with this interest, described in the instrument recorded ____________, together with the appurtenant rights to use the surface. The Company makes no representation as to the present ownership of this interest.
Comment: This exception refers to an instrument granting or reserving an undivided interest in minerals. Unless the instrument is very clear, you should not state the percentage interest that is granted or reserved. Unless the instrument clearly describes only minerals, do not use this exception, since it does not extend to other substances that are not minerals under state law.
Mineral and/or royalty interest, and the royalties, bonuses, rentals and all other rights in connection with this interest, described in instrument recorded ____________, together with the appurtenant rights to use the surface. The Company makes no representation as to the present ownership of this interest.
Comment: This exception refers to an instrument granting or reserving minerals. Unless the instrument clearly describes only minerals, you should not use this exception, since it does not extend to other substances that are not minerals under state law.
Coal, mineral and/or royalty interest, and the royalties, bonuses, rentals and all other rights in connection with this interest, described in the instrument recorded ____________, together with the appurtenant rights to use the surface. The Company makes no representation as to the present ownership of this interest.
Comment: This exception refers to an instrument granting or reserving coal and minerals. Unless the instrument clearly describes only coal and minerals, you should not use this exception, since it does not extend to other substances that are not coal or minerals.
Terms and provisions of the _________________ lease from ____________, lessor to ____________, lessee, recorded ____________. The Company makes no representation as to the present ownership of this interest.
Comment: This exception refers to a lease of minerals or other substances. The exception should use the same description of minerals or substances (e.g., “minerals,” “oil, gas, and other minerals,” “coal and lignite,” etc.) as is used in the lease.