In the energy industry, the Land acquisition process often gets kicked off well after subsurface, engineering and technical planning has commenced. (We are working hard to change this and bring Land into the equation earlier!). Which means Land is often faced with tight timelines to “get it done”. A common mistake when under a time crunch is to hit the ground running without doing important preparatory and planning work. As much knowledge as you can gain early on about the land, and what can impact your acquisition success, will save you time in the end.
Our Senior Land and Right of Way Agent team has compiled 6 tips to start off on the right foot in a Land acquisition program, focused on increasing knowledge and mitigating potential risks...
1 | KNOW THE LAND.
Have a solid understanding of the land value and crop/pasture rates for the area you are working in.
Know the topography and understand the reasoning of the project location(s).
What is the Land type (Farm, Ranch, Residential, Forested, Crown, etc)?
2 | KNOW THE PEOPLE.
Pull titles and understand who is directly impacted by the project.
Depending on project size, do a stakeholder mapping exercise to understand the broader community and stakeholders.
Try to anticipate what questions or concerns may arise during negotiations.
3 | KNOW THE ENCUMBRANCES.
What are the restrictions on title?
Who has rights to the property?
Are there any caveats on registrations with priority?
4 | KNOW THE PROJECT
Understand the project details and goals.
Understand where and how the proposed project impacts the land.
5 | KNOW YOUR DOCUMENTS.
Understand what the common concerns are within the acquisition document package and be able to speak to them.
Understand your affidavits and dower requirements.
6 | KNOW THE REGS.
Understand which regulations apply to your project type.
Know the consultation and notification process and requirements.
Knowledge is power(ful) when it comes to negotiating and acquiring land rights. A successful agent comes prepared to an acquisition, has done their homework and can identify potential issues and concerns early.
Reach out to the Land team at BRITT to help you successfully acquire land access. We'll create a clear path ahead for your project while leaving a positive impact in the areas you operate.
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