Landman

Working Schedule

• Landmen work full-time with overtime possible during busy periods. In-House Landmen work in company offices, but travel with overnight stays away from home may be needed, often in remote rural areas.  

Typical Duties

• Examine geological and geographical data to find resource-rich locations to explore and potentially drill at
• Evaluate the economic viability of drilling at identified sites; consider risks or obstacles, such as challenging geographic features or boundary disputes
• Research property documents such as land titles, leases, and contracts to confirm ownership details, boundaries, etc. 
• Note, that in some cases, there could be multiple owners with varying shares of ownership. There may also be easements or right-of-ways to consider
• Compile ownership information and generate ownership reports 
• Create business development leads
• Call, email, or meet with landowners (and/or mineral rights holders, if different from the landowners) to discuss options and potentially negotiate a deal
• Work with attorneys to draft leases or acquisition contracts to be reviewed by all parties. Understand the different types of Pugh Clauses and their implications
• Anticipate and respond to questions or concerns about contracts or possible impacts of drilling operations. Arrange for signatures, if/when ready
• Facilitate contract modifications with attorneys 
• Connect with applicable local agencies or offices to ensure positive relations
• Serve as the public face of the employer. Conduct community outreach as needed to address any public concerns related to upcoming exploration and drilling operations 
• Keep up-to-date on local, state, and federal regulations to ensure continuing compliance
• Facilitate agreements between energy companies and landowners for oil and gas exploration or production
• For Independent Land Consultants — offer expert advice on land use, zoning, property acquisition, and development
• Work with developers, government agencies, or private landowners to optimize the value and use of land parcels

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in professional organizations such as the American Association of Professional Landmen, whose mission is to “promote the highest standards and ethics of performance for all land professionals and to encourage sound stewardship of all energy and mineral resources.”
• Uphold legal and ethical standards, as required 

Soft Skills

• Accountability
• Ethics
• Integrity
• Customer service 
• Compliance-orientation
• Conflict resolution
• Persuasive 
• Diligent
• Outgoing
• Detail-oriented
• Deductive reasoning
• Initiative
• Observant
• Organized
• Patient
• Problem-solving
• Salesmanship
• Strong communication skills  
• Time management 
• Teamwork

Technical Skills

• Basic computer skills
• Business acumen
• Data entry, data collection, and recordkeeping
• Environmental awareness (impacts on ecosystems, water sources, natural resources, etc.)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) viewers
• Knowledge of regulations related to land use, drilling permits, environmental impact assessments, etc.
• Land management software
• Lease and contract negotiation
• Market analysis trends, commodity prices, and other economic factors
• Negotiation techniques
• Project management
• Property law, contract law, real estate law
• Research skills for public records, historical documents, geological surveys, et al.
• Technical report writing
• Title examination (researching property titles, deeds, leases, and other legal documents to determine ownership and rights)
• Run sheets and title opinions
• Knowledge of easements, right-of-ways, and title curative actions
• Understanding of gas and oil drilling, production, and reservoir management

In-house (or company) Landmen are usually employed by oil and gas firms or corporations. However, Landmen in general—including Independent Field Landmen or Land Consultants—may work for different types of employers, with options such as: 

• Consulting firms
• Energy investment firms
• Government agencies
• Landowner associations
• Law firms
• Mineral and royalty buyers
• Oil and gas service companies
• Pipeline companies:
• Real estate development companies
• Self-employed (independent Landmen)
• Title and abstract companies

Landmen are responsible for finding the best available opportunities, and then helping to negotiate the best deals between their company or client and the applicable landowners or rightsholders. 

Because these deals can be quite lucrative, they must ensure they conduct extremely thorough research to identify all stakeholders before contracts start getting signed. Sometimes figuring out who owns rights may feel like trying to solve a puzzle, especially if records are very old (some historical deeds go back to the early 1900s). But Landmen must get it right (or at least to the best of their ability)! Otherwise, there could be sticky legal issues years or even decades later if property disputes arise. 

Landmen need to collaborate with geologists, engineers, attorneys, and often other Landmen, such as independent contractors or consultants. It’s imperative they work ethically to ensure compliance with governmental regulations while preparing land for drilling operations, to avoid potential fines. 

Drilling operations are benefiting from the increased emphasis on digitalization and automation, as companies integrate sensors, data analytics, and machine learning to optimize processes, enhance safety, and reduce costs. There’s also a shift to more sustainable practices, including more efficient drilling processes, reduced emissions, and better waste management. 

Companies are adopting or improving upon advanced drilling techniques like horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to reach resources in shale formations, giving a boost in production in certain states such as Texas, Colorado, North Dakota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and others.  

Landmen are usually outgoing and personable! As kids, they may have had some of the characteristics of a natural-born salesperson at an early age. In school, they may have developed a keen eye for small details and appreciated subjects like history, geography, math, and business. While the job attracts people from various walks of life, many Landmen grew up in rural areas with family ties to the energy sector, real estate, or the legal profession.