In the oil and gas industry, new innovations and technological breakthroughs are constantly changing the way business is conducted. Landmen are charged with the responsibility of understanding tried-and-true methods of oil and gas extraction along with the additional burden of following trends and learning brand-new methods – such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.
To stay ahead of the learning curve and fully understand what goes into drilling, landmen need to read new and established pieces surrounding the industry. Reading the best oil- and gas-related books helps people in the industry by allowing them to anticipate future changes, thereby positioning themselves as experts in the field.
A book doesn’t have to be brand new to convey incredibly relevant information – in fact, some of the most well-used and reliable resources have been around for decades. Make sure your information is up-to-date by checking for newer editions of classics and consider subscribing to a landman magazine for consistent current information.
These four prominent industry-related titles can give landmen the necessary tools to advance their practice into 2016 and beyond, giving guidance, knowledge, and years of experience to landmen everywhere.
The Oil and Gas Land Reference Volume
This book is the official study guide for the AAPL’s (American Association of Professional Landmen) CPL exam and should be in every landman’s toolbox. There are many publications available from the AAPL bookstore, including industry documents and other helpful pieces of education.
If you haven’t already read this book, it should be the first on your list since it’s mandatory for professionals who want to take the CPL exam. Besides needing it for the exam, however, you’ll definitely make use of it throughout your career as a landman, as it is an indispensable go-to resource.
The Oil and Gas Landman Series
The Oil and Gas Landman Series by the Petroleum Landman School, LLC, provides landmen the opportunity to read about many different subjects relating to oil and gas mining. Each book in this series relates the others, creating a comprehensive read that will increase overall understanding of the field and can put you years ahead of other landmen.
The books can be cross-referenced with one another, so it’s best to purchase the entire series. If this is outside your budget or you feel the need to invest only in a specific title, you can browse through the series and buy to your liking. Landmen can read each book in its entirety or use them as a resource to look up facts and information as needed.
Oil and Gas Title Examination
This is a work by author George J. Morgenthaler and has excellent reviews from landmen across the board. It provides a great resource for landmen with five or more years of experience, since it covers a great deal of subject matter. Any title researcher will benefit from owning this book, as it gives an understanding of the fundamental procedures and methods used in title examination as well as tips for attorneys who prepare title opinions.
This book is different from many other legal books about title review, because it doesn’t touch on any issues that can change with time, such as state regulations or statutes. Instead, it focuses on the foundations of oil and gas titles, with examples and forms of agreements used in development. An incredibly useful book, it will help you for years to come.
Oil and Gas Law in a Nutshell
This book supplies exactly what the title promises – easy but effective coverage of the many laws that govern the extraction of oil and gas resources. Oil and Gas Law in a Nutshell by John S. Lowe breaks down legal rules and examples of related oil and gas cases in association with privately owned mineral rights and government-owned resources.
This is an excellent book for beginning landmen to gain an overview of the laws and regulations they need to be aware of, as well as for experienced landmen to have on their shelves for further perusal. It’s not too long or full of industry jargon, and uses clear, concise language – making it an easy read this summer.
