RIGHTS IN REVERSE

Superficial rights

Reside on the Surface

Whilst mineral rights

Gain all  of the benefits

Of bonuses

One time payments

to produce and sell

Of royalties

A fraction of sales revenue

From Oil and Gas wells

Of Delayed rentals

Cash payments

For drill  postponement

During primary term

Or time that lease
is in effect

And secondary term

If lease is extended,yet

Acreage  granted

on prospect space

And depth  of well
depends

And the mineral landman

Can live  well and spend

For his rights dominates

Land surface

Soil

And groundwater benefits

He can add accessories

And explore as he sees fit

During Crown Times

Mineral rights owners

Were surface owners too

And what was found on your land ,

was yours,it's true

Things changed around 1904

From thereon the Government
retained mineral rights

For sure

And land sold from that year on

Had dual owners

Both the private and public coffers

Yet those who maintained ownership

Prior to 1903

Also maintain mineral rights here
 in T&T

And if  by chance the owner
 undetermined or uncertain be

The resource remains unexplored
here in this country

Copyright©2019 by Camille Caliscia Patrick