Oil and Gas Activity in Borden County Means Mineral Rights Matter
Oil was discovered in Borden County in 1949. Production grew fast. The county has been part of the Permian Basin oil-producing region ever since. The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates oil and gas statewide. Borden County falls in RRC District 8A, which is run out of Lubbock.
In Texas, mineral rights (ownership of the oil, gas, and other minerals underground) can be split from the surface land. A past owner may have already sold or kept the minerals. If so, you could buy the land but not own what is beneath it. Start your research at the Borden County Clerk's office, located at 117 E. Wasson, Gail. Deed records there show what was and was not included in past sales. Lease records and production data are also available through the Railroad Commission's online tools.
On the RRC website, you can search well records, production history, and permits by county. The Land and Mineral Owners section of rrc.texas.gov explains what landowners and royalty owners can expect from operators.
Content last revised 2026-07-11