Optima Land Services

Optima Land Services is an oil and gas land brokerage headquartered in downtown Midland, Texas. Founded in 2014 by a group of five landmen, the firm provides full field and in-house land services covering the development process from acquisition through drill-out and pay. The company describes its focus as the success of the in-house landman, positioning itself as an extension of a client's land department rather than an outside vendor.

Leasing and acquisitions

The leasing team negotiates and acquires oil and gas leases and handles direct dealings with mineral owners. The company states that it emphasizes clear and concise communication with clients through the acquisition process, and that negotiating with mineral owners in a professional manner strengthens the client's relationship with those owners.

Title research and reporting

Title research, title reporting and curing defects of title sit at the center of the practice. Work combines online records with courthouse research, and the company notes that it maintains in-house title attorneys. Every member of the land team is required to be a member of the AAPL, which the company presents as assurance of continuing education as case law affecting the industry changes.

Optima is partnered with and shares an office with Perry & Shields, Attorneys at Law, LLP, which the company says gives it access to a board-certified oil and gas attorney on complex title matters. Reports are delivered in the format each client requires. Software used in title research and reporting includes:

• Drilling Info
• Sharefile
• Courthouse Direct
• iLandman

Surface, due diligence and land administration

Beyond leasing and title, the company handles the surface and regulatory side of a project and the administrative work that follows it:

• Surface and right-of-way, including drill site and surface assessments and easements
• Due diligence
• Title curative
• Regulatory matters
• A land system built in-house for managing client files, monitoring drilling, leasing and payment obligations, and preparing contracts and purchase and sale agreements

Projects are configured to client requirements rather than sold as a fixed package.

Coverage

The company opened in Midland in 2014 from the Wilco Building downtown and states that its landmen's shared experience gives it particular familiarity with the Permian and Delaware basins. It has since taken on work outside the Permian and hired landmen with experience elsewhere in the United States, from the Marcellus to the Eagle Ford.

Optima works throughout the U.S. and describes a wide network of land professionals it can draw on to start a project regardless of location.