Sell Your Mineral Rights in Union County, AR
Union County has been producing oil for over a century, and El Dorado sits at the center of one of Arkansas's most historically significant petroleum regions. If you own mineral rights here, you may have more than a family heirloom — you could have something an operator or investor is actively looking to buy. Let's help you figure out what it's actually worth.
Est. per Acre
$150–$1,200
per net royalty acre
Core Basin
Smackover / Arkla
Primary Formation
Primary Resource
Oil
Commodity Type
What You Should Know Before You Do Anything
Union County is the historical heartbeat of Arkansas oil production. El Dorado saw its first major oil boom in the 1920s, and the Smackover formation here has been producing for decades — making this county genuinely distinct from most of its neighbors in the Arkla Basin. Activity today is more measured than it was in the boom years, but there are still operators working this county, and mineral rights do trade hands here. Before you accept an offer or decide to hold, it's worth understanding whether your acreage sits over active production, what formation it's tied to, and what the current market looks like — because those three things will determine your value more than anything else.
Union County at a Glance
$150 – $1,200
estimate, varies by formation and activity
Estimated Value Range Per Acre
Oil
Smackover / Arkla Basin
Primary Commodity
El Dorado
historic center of Arkansas petroleum industry
County Seat
38,815
residents
County Population
Smackover / Arkla
primary producing basin
Basin
Who's Operating in Union County
Active regional and independent operators are present in Union County
Buyers include mineral acquisition companies focused on the Arkla Basin
Some legacy production is held by smaller private operators with long-standing leases
What's in the Ground
Smackover
The Smackover is the formation that put Union County on the map. A Jurassic-age carbonate reef system, it has produced oil in this region for generations. If your rights are tied to Smackover production, you're dealing with the most historically significant and commercially relevant formation in the county.
Cotton Valley
The Cotton Valley is a deeper, tighter formation that produces both oil and gas across the Arkla Basin. It requires more capital to develop but has seen interest from operators looking beyond conventional plays. Rights with Cotton Valley potential can add meaningful upside.
Hosston
The Hosston is a shallower Cretaceous-age formation that has historically produced natural gas in the Arkla Basin. It's less active today than in prior decades, but it remains a recognized formation in the stratigraphic column for this part of Arkansas.
Questions We Hear From Union County Owners
I got an offer out of nowhere. Should I take it?
My family has owned these rights since the 1940s and I'm not even sure what formation they cover. How do I find out?
Is now a good time to sell, or should I hold?
Find Out What Your Union County Mineral Rights Are Worth
You don't need to make any decisions today. The first step is just a conversation — free, no pressure, no obligation. We'll look at your specific acreage, the formation it covers, and what the current market looks like, and give you a straight answer about your options.
Get My Free ValuationData Sources
Production and operator figures for Union County are drawn from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year), and Wikipedia. Per-acre values are estimates and not an offer.
Other Gulf Coast Counties
Union County is part of the Gulf Coast. See the full basin overview, operators, and counties we serve.
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Read article →Get a Free Offer for Your Union County Mineral Rights
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