By Last Updated: June 26th, 2025Categories: Mineral Rights

Kansas Mineral Rights Guide

If you own land or mineral rights in Kansas, you may have valuable resources beneath the surface that you aren’t fully aware of. Whether it’s a small royalty interest or a family inheritance, understanding your mineral rights, their value, and how to sell them can seem complicated, especially for those who are new to the industry. This guide is here to simplify the process.

At Fraction Royalty, we make it easy for Kansas landowners to get cash for their oil and gas royalties. Our focus is on small, fractional mineral interests, and we offer a quick, transparent process. Let’s walk you through everything you need to know about mineral rights in Kansas—from active producing areas to taxation, and tips on selling.

Active Producing Areas in Kansas

Kansas might not get as much attention as Texas or North Dakota in the national oil and gas scene, but it has strong pockets of production with thousands of active wells. Some areas of the state are known for their oil and natural gas reserves, and owning mineral rights in these active producing regions can be a valuable asset.

Here are some of the most active producing areas in Kansas:

1. Western Kansas

This region, including counties like Ellis, Rooks, Russell, and Barton, is known for its historical oil production. The geology in these areas supports conventional vertical drilling operations, and there is still a steady amount of activity.

2. Hugoton Gas Area

One of the largest natural gas fields in the United States, the Hugoton Gas Area spans parts of southwest Kansas, including Grant, Haskell, Kearny, and Finney counties. While gas prices fluctuate, this area has been a steady producer for decades.

3. Central Kansas Uplift

In the Central Kansas Uplift, oil production continues to be strong. This region includes areas like McPherson and Saline counties, where older conventional wells are still yielding valuable production.

4. Sedgwick Basin

Located in south-central Kansas, this basin has been a consistent producer of both oil and natural gas. The area around Sedgwick county remains an important hub for oil production in Kansas.

If your land is located in one of these active regions, you’re more likely to see steady production—and you may be entitled to royalties if you own the mineral rights.

Taxation and Ownership in Kansas

When it comes to mineral rights in Kansas, understanding ownership and mineral rights taxation is crucial. In Kansas, the ownership of mineral rights can be complicated, especially when the surface rights are held by someone else. Additionally, taxes can add an extra layer of complexity to mineral rights ownership.

Ownership of Mineral Rights

  • Severed Mineral Rights: In Kansas, mineral rights can be severed from the surface rights. This means someone can own the land above, while another party may own the minerals below. It’s important to understand which rights you actually hold before making any decisions about selling.

  • Shared Interests: Many Kansas mineral rights owners inherit their rights, which may be split between multiple heirs. This can sometimes make it difficult to decide what to do with the rights, especially if there are several owners involved.

Taxation on Mineral Rights

Kansas taxes mineral rights in two main ways:

  • Severance Taxes: These are taxes applied to the oil or gas once it’s extracted from the ground. Kansas has a severance tax on both oil and gas production, which is paid by the producer.

  • Ad Valorem Taxes: Mineral rights owners may also have to pay property taxes on their mineral interests, especially if the minerals are producing. This is assessed annually by the county tax authority.

It’s important to consult with a tax professional or mineral rights advisor to ensure that you’re complying with all tax regulations and to understand how your mineral rights are taxed in Kansas.

Recent Market Activity in Kansas

While Kansas doesn’t have the same kind of explosive growth seen in some other oil-producing states, the market for oil and gas royalties has been stable. The market is driven by a mix of steady production, fluctuating oil prices, and buyers looking for smaller interests that larger companies tend to overlook.

Here are some recent trends in the Kansas mineral rights market:

Steady Demand for Smaller Interests

Because Kansas has thousands of small mineral rights interests scattered across the state, many buyers are targeting these smaller, overlooked properties. These smaller parcels are often more affordable for investors, and they’re easier for companies like Fraction Royalty to acquire and manage.

Declining Production, but Ongoing Activity

Oil production in Kansas has been in steady decline for several years, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t valuable assets. Older wells may still be producing, and there are often opportunities for investors to pick up small, underdeveloped properties that still yield substantial royalty payments.

A Favorable Market for Sellers

With a growing interest in small oil royalties, sellers in Kansas are getting favorable offers. Fraction Royalty specializes in buying small and fractional mineral rights interests, and we’ve been seeing strong demand for these types of assets. Sellers can typically expect fast offers and quick closings, often within 7 days.

What Affects Oil and Gas Royalty Value in Kansas?

Understanding what affects the value of your oil and gas royalties is essential if you’re thinking about selling your rights. There are several factors that play a role in determining how much your Kansas mineral rights are worth.

1. Production Status

The most significant factor in the value of mineral rights is whether or not the rights are producing. If your minerals are actively being produced, you’ll likely be receiving royalty payments, which can add value. However, if there’s no production, the value of the rights is typically lower.

2. Location of the Rights

Certain counties in Kansas, especially those with high levels of oil or gas production, can offer higher values for mineral rights. For instance, rights in the Hugoton Gas Area or Western Kansas counties may be worth more than those in less active regions.

3. Lease Terms

The terms of the lease on your mineral rights can significantly impact their value. If your rights are leased, the lease’s duration, royalty percentage, and obligations will affect what buyers are willing to pay. Rights with favorable lease terms tend to be more valuable.

4. Well Age and Decline Rate

Older wells tend to produce less over time, so the age of the wells on your property plays a role in its value. A well that has been producing for many years may be declining, which will reduce the value of the mineral rights. Newer wells with a strong production rate generally have higher values.

5. Size of Ownership

Even if you have a small interest (like 1/16th or 1/32nd of the mineral rights), it can still be valuable. We specialize in buying smaller interests, which may be overlooked by other buyers but can still be worth a fair amount of money.

Selling Considerations in Kansas

If you’re considering selling your Kansas mineral rights, here are some key considerations:

  • How much should you sell? You can sell all or part of your mineral rights. Some landowners sell a portion of their interest while keeping part for long-term income.

  • No need for brokers: Selling your mineral rights doesn’t require a broker. We handle everything directly, ensuring you get a fair offer without having to deal with middlemen.

  • Timely payments: We can send you an offer within 24 hours, and most sales close in less than 7 days.

  • No hidden fees or closing costs: We cover all the costs associated with the sale, so you get the full offer amount.

Get a Free Mineral Rights Evaluation

If you’re thinking about selling your oil and gas royalties in Kansas, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer free mineral rights evaluations to help you understand what your rights are worth.

At Fraction Royalty, we make the process simple:

  • Offers in 24 hours

  • Close in 7 days or less

  • No broker fees or closing costs

Ready to Receive an Offer for Mineral Rights?

If you’re ready to sell oil and gas royalties, or just want to know what your mineral rights are worth, we’re here to help. We’ll make the process fast, fair, and easy.

Fill out our quick contact form and get your personalized offer in 24 hours.

👉 Click here to request your free mineral rights evaluation

Same Day Quote

After we receive your last 3 months of royalty statements, our team will put together a formal offer for you to consider. Your formal offer will be ready within 24 hours, and typically the same day you provide your documentation.

To receive a quote, enter your information below: