Eric C. Schmalbach

Eric is a shareholder in the firms Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Section. He is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

His practice primarily consists of advising exploration and development companies with their upstream operations in Texas. Eric provides counsel to oil and gas companies of all sizes relating primarily to transactional related matters. Prior to his experience as an attorney, Eric worked as an independent landman, where he performed due diligence, title research, and lease acquisition in Oklahoma and Texas.

Eric spends a significant portion of his time on oil and gas title examination. His title examination work involves all types of opinions, including drilling title opinions, division order title opinions, right-of-way opinions, and acquisition title opinions. Title opinions may be based on abstract examination or done by "stand-up" examination in the county clerk's office.

Eric also spends a portion of his time counseling oil and gas companies in negotiating and documenting oil and gas transactions. He prepares many different types of purchase and sale agreements, assignments, leases, seismic option agreements, farmout agreements, participation agreements, joint operating agreements, and other documents relating to exploration and development of oil and gas reserves. He assists clients in curative work, and drafts stipulation of interests and cross-conveyances, deeds, royalty assignments, ratifications, and other relevant documents, and conducts mineral receivership proceedings. In addition, he also counsels clients in development and operations of producing properties, including unit formation and maintenance, leasing matters, and surface use.