What can I expect as someone new looking to get into the field as a landman?

You can expect to receive a good overview of what a field landman is and does. This course will teach you the basics of landman work. This course will review leasing, title work, divided ownership, royalties, and other topics of interest you need to know. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge required to get a job. Experienced landmen will guide you as you enter the real work of a landman. Although there are no guarantees of placement you can expect if you successfully complete our class and complete an application for paid placement opportunities we will work hard to try and find you placement within the industry.

You can expect that although experienced, qualified field landmen make a comfortable living, you will not start at the top. An experienced field landman can make on the average of $400 - $425 contract per day ($104,000 – $110,500 annually). You will see day rates for experienced landmen vary upon the different regions of the country. As a novice landman you can expect in the neighborhood of $125 contract per day. Don’t get discouraged. As you learn and prove yourself capable of performing the work, you will see the increases in pay. Most landmen after their first full year are making in the neighborhood of $200/day ($52,000 annually). However, you can expect for it to take about 5 -7 yrs worth of experience before you will start seeing the $400+/day rates. In addition, you typically get reimbursed for expenses such as meals, lodging, and mileage.

The oil and gas business as any business has its ups and downs. Because of this there is huge opportunity right now for landmen. The landman industry has not seen a resurgence of landmen since the early eighties. The landmen from that era are now approaching retirement, and with the already abundant shortage the possibility for a long term career and growth are here and now.

Expect travel. It is seldom the work is in your backyard. Most landmen have to travel and stay out in the field for days, weeks, even months at a time in order to perform the work that is required. You will need good reliable transportation.

Expect that when you begin work there will be a six week period before you receive your first check. Most brokers have a four week hold out on your first check, so you won’t get paid until four weeks after you submit your first invoice. You will need to have some money set aside for the expenses you will incur while out in the field. You can expect to be paying for hotels, copies, food, etc. You will need a credit card to help you manage these expenses, as well as a cell phone, laptop, and other necessary computer equipment in order to operate. Remember you are a self employed contractor. These are all the tools necessary to operate your business.

As a landman in the field you need to be a good communicator, you will work directly with the landowners, whether the person is a farmer, banker, or an attorney. In addition you will need to have a good understanding of negotiations and property titles. Landmen also conduct research of ownership at the court houses to determine the true owner or owners and to get the correct description of the property, so you will also need to have research skills and basic legal knowledge. These skills are all imperative to your success as a landman.