Oil lease roads

[displacedtexan]

Very good point - non residents have to know land ownership as they pick through roads, sides roads, two tracks and atv access. I’m guilty of thinking like a local and forget how many things visitors don’t know. Locals know areas well, have land ownership maps or a gizmo to tell them what’s what.

Don’t cross through private land on utility right of ways, rail road tracks, river banks, airport runways, military bases, or following BLM fire trucks cutting fences on the way to a fire. Don’t follow linemen, ranchers, oil patch trucks, a random Zamboni, water trucks, wedding party signs, or university grad students studying indigestion in prairie dogs.

Trying to describe the relatively simple process of driving on a dirt road is so full of land mines and what ifs that it’s easy to understand how anyone tasked with answering questions all day, week after week, would simply say stick to named roads.

I take back my advice - don’t travel on any road other than a named road on a State Farm road atlas. *chuckle*

View attachment 852883

I see a Zamboni driving down an oil lease road in Wyoming, I'm definitely following him.

That's a guy I want to party with.

 

[TaperPin]

I see a Zamboni driving down an oil lease road in Wyoming, I'm definitely following him.

That's a guy I want to party with.

Those old pneumatic tire roller/compactors always reminded me of a Zamboni.

 

[Scorpion]

I work in the oil and gas industry. Generally, when we build a road to access a well site, compressor station, etc. they are not publicly accessible aside from private landowners who are granted permission/access.

In Wyoming, the only roads you can trust to gain access to are those on the maps published by the county you are hunting in. This is easily accessible information.

That said, most of the oilfield isn’t going to give a shit if you’re driving the roads. If you’re driving a white crew cab F-250 with a ranch hand bumper they’ll never even bat an eye. Doesn’t mean you won’t get cited if someone wants to make a big deal out of it.

 

[tebanks]

What we do is drive the oil patch roads until they have a sign that says it’s no longer a public road - every one I’ve seen in Wyoming is very direct and clear when you aren’t wanted. Then we pull out the map and figure a work around if need be. I can think of 6 roads that pass through an oil patch area, but the main branch is open to the public and only the side roads aren’t passable.

If you’ve never driven in the oil patch definitely hug the shoulder going around corners and over rises and be prepared to get as far over as need be - the guys that drive it every day will be doing Baja 1000 speeds in 8’ wide trucks.

I agree. The way Wyoming law is written these roads could fall under the definition of a highway unless they have taken steps to prevent public travel. A gate or no trespass sign would be a good clue they don’t want you there.

 

[roadrunner]

Lease Road - generic term for any road used in oil and gas activity to access a wellpad.

Open Easement - road across private for use by public. County roads can commonly be an open easement.

Fee surface - private surface.

Federal surface - speaks for itself.

BLM will not have a record or keeps up with rights of way across private. It's only concerned with its own surface and road use.

A private land owner may allow you to use the road so graciously installed by XYZ Energy. Just ask them. XYZ Energy cannot give you permission.

County Assessor can let you know whose land is whose.

 

[cuerro viejo]

You just need:

A) 3/4 white truck,
B)hard hat(toss a chevron and Exxon sticker or two on it put it on the dash,
C) Onesie
D) box of donuts

If a LO flags you, stop and apologize profusely, offer him a donut, and point to a random spot on a map a couple miles away.

You are lost and you just got transferred there.

 

[cal30_sniper]

You just need:

A) 3/4 white truck,
B)hard hat(toss a chevron and Exxon sticker or two on it put it on the dash,
C) Onesie
D) box of donuts

If a LO flags you, stop and apologize profusely, offer him a donut, and point to a random spot on a map a couple miles away.

You are lost and you just got transferred there.

You forgot Pennsylvania license plates.

 

[cuerro viejo]

You forgot Pennsylvania license plates.

Lol, That might get you shot, got to go neutral like Oklahoma

 

[The John]

As a person that works in the electrical construction industry building transmission electrical lines in Wyoming: if you're found on a right of way without permission you will be talking to the police. I can guarantee you it would not be enjoyable as I have come across folks before.

However,
I would recommend that you approach an office (after calling and in person) and giving a direct ask a shot (pro tip, bring Kolaches with you and show up early in the am IYKYK). Worse they will say is no, but doing this way before the season starts is key and random folks start frustrating people.