Navigating State Land Complexities: A Technical Resolution Worth Six Figures

CHALLENGE:

An energy company encountered significant complications with state land records that created title uncertainties potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in delayed development. The complexity arose from historical state land transactions that required specialized knowledge of New Mexico's unique state land office procedures and filing systems that differ substantially from federal BLM processes.

APPROACH:

"We are in the BLM office just about every day because new documents are being filed all the time, and we have to keep our records up to date." 

We leveraged our deep institutional knowledge and proven processes to untangle the complex chain of title. As Russell Shaw notes about their operational advantage: "We are in the BLM office just about every day because new documents are being filed all the time, and we have to keep our records up to date." 

RESULTS:

The resolution required identifying missing documentation that connected historical state land patents to current leasing arrangements. Our team successfully traced the complete chain of title, resolving the uncertainty and allowing the energy company to proceed with their development timeline. 

‍KEY INSIGHTS:

State land records contain unique challenges that require specialist knowledge that generalists just don’t have. The combination of proprietary databases, daily office presence, and established professional relationships gives us the tools and experience to resolve complex issues that would otherwise create significant project delays and financial exposure for our clients.