Oil Seeping from Ground in Parent's Back Yard

Self | 03/21/05 | Laurel Barney

[Cyclopean Squid]

As I mentioned, I am a pretty bad law student. I haven't taken Oil & Gas as yet, and my Property class focused mainly on the Rule of Perpetuities, which is utterly pointless.

I was just hoping to provide some information so far as I knew, clearly prefaced with the caveat that I am for the most part unknowledgeable on the subject. I suggested that the Grim Freeper contact a competent attorney, which is still good advice. Plus you may not have posted your own commentary "but for" my own!

[berkeleybeej]

1) I agree with the other freeps who are saying the mineral rights are probably owned by someone else.

2) I'd suggest getting the goo tested. It could be heaven-knows-what from prior dumping. Except....if you do that then when you/your parents want to sell the property, you'll have to disclose it....

But if I lived there, I'd really want to know what the stuff is.

[Cobra64]

Call Jed Clampette. Better yet, Ellie May.

[ChadGore]

Black Gold . . . Texas Tea . . .

[kalee]

My father in law has lots of acres with oil under them in TX, but it hasn't been pumped since the 80's and the bust.
My husband's family is more like the cast of Dallas than the Beverly Hillbillies. :) Family gatherings are NOT a pretty sight!

As C. Squid says consult an attorney that specializes in this field. He will tell you if your folks own the mineral rights as well as the land and can direct you to a geologist for the appropriate studies. Good Luck!
Kalee

[deport]

Question...... where is Los Gatos ? Maybe I should know but I don't...

[Texas Songwriter]

This is a good thing if you are not a democrat.

[FairOpinion]

Even if you don't have mineral and water rights -- check your deed to make sure -- your property is still valuable, because they would need to buy your property to drill.

[kittymyrib]

The Gulf of California has more pollution coming from oil seeping up from the ocean floor than Texas has with all its drilling platforms. And the incredibly ignorant Californians are letting millions of dollars worth of crude go to waste when their state is broke. I guess when you are stupid enough to let the enviro-nazis run your state, you just have to suffer. Too bad Texas and Louisiana can't cut off the people of CA and FLA and make them ride bicycles to work. They certainly don't deserve our oil.

[TexasTransplant]

The Mercy Plan

Sue Sue Sue (Ya'll must be from California)

When I existed there (Never did really Live there) instead of see ya later or Bye or Goodbye, I always said "Sue ya later"

What an absolutely crappy way to live day to day, worried about getting sued or worrying about who ya can sue today.

After I left California I tried scraping the bottoms of my boots, after awhile I just gave up and threw them away, that was 23 years ago and the stench.... (I could go on for hours)

[SedVictaCatoni]

Property class focused mainly on the Rule of Perpetuities, which is utterly pointless.

*laughs cynically* You now know everything you need to know about law school.

Hint: You will only learn anything useful in your bar review course at the end.

[B Knotts]

Gee nobody wants to help you ... only use you to launch one-liners. Good ole FR.

I know...I feel kinda bad about that...but after the other things going on, a light-hearted thread was a relief.

I think he's gotten some good advice regardless by the handful of non-smart-alecks present.

[redheadtoo]

That oily stuff is going to be in the way if your parents ever want to install a cement pond.

[Graymatter]

This has the makings of a fun thread. Thread, go bump!

[skinkinthegrass]

"Tar Sands" around in your area...geologic pressures/faults may be causing displacements..just an assumptions

[Orange1998]

LOL!

[Rebelbase]

A bit deeper into your link:

The green triangles are known oil seeps.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

christ man! Go wash your friggin FINGER ASAP! Its most likely sewage/poop!

[The Grim Freeper]

They live in an area that was nothing but plum, peach, cherry, and fig orchards. When we moved to this street in 1972, one whole half of the street was still orchards. My parent's house was one of the first ones built (they purchased it from the original builder who lived in it for a number of years. It was built 1956, I think.

The area where the oil is seeping through had a fig tree and a walnut tree in it until a couple years ago. They just got too old, and died, and had to be cut down.

By the way, "The Front Porch" poster--do you mean "The Front Porch" in Los Gatos? I think that was a great store. Where did you move to?

[jocon307]

Excellent tagline.