Sell Your Mineral Rights in Sterling County, TX
You own mineral rights in Sterling County, Texas — that puts you in the Permian Basin, the most actively drilled oil region in the United States. Activity here is real, with over 1,370 producing wells on the books and a range of operators working the county. Before you accept any offer or make any decision, it's worth understanding exactly what you have.
Est. per Acre
$150–$800
per net royalty acre
Active Wells
1,370+
Drilling Activity
Core Basin
Permian Basin
Primary Formation
Primary Resource
Oil
Commodity Type
What You Should Know Before You Do Anything
Sterling County sits in the Permian Basin, which means the geological fundamentals under your feet are the same ones driving some of the biggest oil plays in North America. That said, Sterling County is more lightly developed than headline Permian counties like Midland or Reeves — with cumulative oil production of roughly 27,300 barrels and about 326,400 MCF of gas on record, this is a county where activity is real but more measured. If you've received an offer from an operator or a buyer, it's not unusual — the county has over 1,370 producing wells and a genuine roster of active companies working it. What that means for your specific acreage depends on where you are in the county, how close you are to existing production, and what formation your rights cover. Don't sign anything until you have a clear picture of those factors.
Sterling County by the Numbers
1,370
wells
Producing Wells (state regulator data)
27,300
BBL
Cumulative Oil Production (verified)
326,400
MCF
Cumulative Gas Production (verified)
$150 – $800
per acre
Estimated Value Range Per Acre (estimate only — varies widely by location and lease status)
Oil
Primary Commodity
Who's Operating in Sterling County
Crescent Energy Operating, LLC
Black River Operating LLC
Blue Star Natural Resources, LLC
Lone Tree Oil & Gas LLC
Maverick Operating, LLC
Burk Royalty Co., LTD.
What's in the Ground
Wolfcamp
The Wolfcamp is one of the most productive shale formations in the Permian and extends across much of West Texas, including the Sterling County area. It's a primary target for horizontal drilling and is oil-weighted, which is a meaningful advantage when oil prices are strong.
Spraberry
The Spraberry is a shallower Permian-age formation that has been produced in West Texas for decades. It's a proven, established play — not flashy, but reliable — and continues to see activity from operators working the area.
Clear Fork
The Clear Fork is a carbonate formation that has historically produced oil across the Permian Basin. In counties like Sterling, it represents a more conventional target that some operators still work alongside newer horizontal programs.
Questions We Hear From Sterling County Owners
Sterling County isn't talked about like Midland or Reeves — does that mean my rights aren't worth much?
I got an unsolicited offer from a buyer. Should I take it?
I inherited these rights and don't even know if there's an active lease. What do I do first?
What to Know About Sterling County
County Seat: Sterling City
All deed and lease records for Sterling County are filed with the county clerk in Sterling City. If you're trying to trace the history of your mineral rights — especially inherited rights — that's your starting point. Texas property records are public, and the clerk's office can help you locate the documents you need.
Texas Is a Mineral-Friendly State
Texas law strongly protects mineral rights owners. Minerals and surface rights can be severed and owned separately, which is common here. As a mineral owner, you generally have the right to negotiate lease terms, receive royalty payments, and transfer or sell your interest independently of the surface.
Railroad Commission Oversight
All oil and gas production in Sterling County is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC). Their public database lets you look up well permits, production history, and operator information for any tract in the county — a useful tool for understanding what's happening on or near your acreage before you talk to anyone.
Relatively Low Population, High Well Density
Sterling County has a population of about 1,392 people — one of the smaller counties in Texas. But it has over 1,370 producing wells on record, which means the mineral rights activity here is disproportionately high relative to its size. That's a meaningful signal about the value of subsurface resources in the county.
How a Sale Works
Outright Sale
You transfer ownership of your mineral rights in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. This eliminates all future royalty income but gives you certainty and liquidity today. It makes sense for some owners and not for others — it depends on your financial situation, how active the acreage is, and your view on oil prices over the next decade.
Royalty Sale (Partial)
Instead of selling everything, you can sell a portion of your royalty interest and retain the rest. This lets you take some money off the table now while keeping upside if production increases. It's a middle-ground option that more buyers are willing to structure than many owners realize.
Lease Negotiation
If your rights are currently unleased, you have the option to negotiate a lease with an operator rather than selling outright. You'd receive an upfront bonus payment and a royalty on any production. This keeps you in the game long-term but requires finding a willing operator — more realistic in counties with active drilling programs.
Hold and Monitor
Not every mineral owner needs to sell or lease right now. If your rights are already under a producing lease and generating royalty income, holding may be the right call. The question to ask is whether the current income reflects the full value of your acreage — or whether a sale or renegotiation would yield more.
Find Out What Your Sterling County Mineral Rights Are Worth
You don't need to make any decisions today. A free, no-pressure valuation conversation is just a starting point — we'll look at your specific acreage, what's producing nearby, and give you an honest read on what buyers are paying right now in Sterling County. No obligation, no sales pitch.
Get My Free ValuationData Sources
Production and operator figures for Sterling County are drawn from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year), Wikipedia, and DrillingEdge (state regulator production data). Per-acre values are estimates and not an offer.
Other Permian Basin Counties
Sterling County is part of the Permian Basin. See the full basin overview, operators, and counties we serve.
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