Land Training Blog

What Is Landman Now? Landman Now — Podcasting the Profession is AAPL’s official podcast series, hosted by Chad Smith. Each episode features experienced land professionals discussing the issues, trends, and realities shaping today’s land industry — from career development and certifications to ethics, advocacy, and evolving roles within land departments. 🎧 Listen here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTROuyMneZQ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/landman-now-podcasting-the-profession/id1780886542 AAPL […]

This month’s Student Spotlight feels like a Christmas gift. As part of the University of Texas Professional Land Management Certificate Program, students complete a capstone assignment that connects coursework with real-world experience. One option is to interview a practicing landman—and Daniel Parker, a new graduate and landman in the program who works for Petro Operating Company, took that opportunity […]

In the Introduction to Land Management Practices course, students are asked to visit their local county courthouse to learn firsthand how property and conveyance records are organized. This field trip assignment helps students understand how landmen trace mineral ownership and record oil and gas leases — critical steps in ensuring that leases are properly recorded […]

In late September, I had the honor of speaking at the West Coast Landman’s Institute in beautiful San Luis Obispo, where I presented my ethics talk titled “Rigged for Success: A Landman’s Guide to Ethics.” The conference was an incredible experience — from the scenic coastal setting to the engaging conversations with fellow professionals committed […]

Why This is Exciting. I’m thrilled to announce that my Professional Land Management (PLM), Division Order, and Lease & Title Certificate Programs are now offered through the University of Texas at Austin Petroleum Extension (PETEX)! Receive a University of Texas certificate of completion. Earn a digital LinkedIn badge showcasing your qualifications. Gain credentials that boost career advancement & recognition. […]

In a recent  Texas Supreme Court  ruling, the ownership of  produced water—a byproduct of oil and gas extraction—was put to the test. The case, Cactus Water Services, LLC v. COG Operating, LLC, addressed a dispute between  COG Operating  and  Cactus Water Services  over 52 million barrels of produced water from the Collier family’s 37,000-acre lease in  Reeves County, Texas, within […]

A Key Skill for Landmen, Division Order Analysts, and Lease & Title Analysts When an oil and gas lease is signed, the lease typically includes a royalty fraction that represents the landowner’s share of the revenue from the oil or gas extracted. This fraction is typically written as a decimal, such as 1/8 or 1/6, which represents the […]

Earlier this month, we broke down the key components of an oil and gas lease—from the Granting Clause to the Shut-In Royalty Clause—highlighting how these terms impact lease length, payments, pooling rights, and more. 🧠 Ready for a Challenge? Put your knowledge to the test! Click below to take our Oil & Gas Lease Quiz — […]

Whether you’re reviewing a lease for the first time or have years of experience in the field, it’s always worthwhile to revisit the foundational language that shapes oil and gas agreements. Each clause in an oil and gas lease serves a specific legal and operational function — from outlining the term of the lease to […]

Now is the perfect time to start your journey toward a Land Certificate! With our modules starting over from the beginning, this is a rare opportunity to take the courses sequentially from Module 1 through Module 6—setting you on the fast track to earning your certificate by the end of October! This includes the Professional Land […]