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Mineral Rights Stories & local character

Oil and Gas Activity in Kent County

Kent County Home & Property

Oil was discovered in Kent County in 1946. Production has been a major part of the local economy ever since. If you buy land here, mineral rights may or may not be included in the sale. In Texas, mineral rights are often severed from surface rights — meaning someone else may own the oil and gas under your land.

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates all oil and gas wells, pipelines, and production in the state. You can search well records and production data by county on the RRC website. If you are buying property, ask your title company to search for any existing oil and gas leases or mineral reservations on the deed.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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More stories and useful context near Kent County

A balanced next shelf: local character first, with practical context close by.

Stories & local character

Jayton Became the County Seat in 1954

Kent County's original county seat was Clairemont, but Jayton won a contested election in 1954 and has been the seat of government ever since.

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Stories & local character

Mineral rights can be owned separately from the land in Fort Bend County

In Texas, the owner of oil and gas beneath a property may be a different person from the owner of the land surface.

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Practical

Groundwater in Kent County Is in GMA 6

Kent County sits in Groundwater Management Area 6 with no local groundwater district covering it, so state rules govern what happens when you sink a well.

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Stories & local character

Oil and gas are still active in Nolan County — mineral rights matter

Petroleum has been produced in Nolan County since 1939, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all oil and gas activity in the area.

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Place pages in Kent County

Jayton

Nearby county shelves

Dickens (6) Stonewall (6) Garza (7) Scurry (6) Fisher (4) Crosby (4)