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What is a Landman?

As defined by the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), a “Landman" shall mean a Land Professional who has been primarily engaged in negotiating for the acquisition or divestiture of mineral rights and/or negotiating business agreements that provide for the exploration for and/or the development of minerals. Landmen, based on their education and years of experience, can apply for certification with the AAPL and become a Registered Landman (“RL”), a Registered Professional Landman (“RPL”) and/or a Certified Professional Landman (“CPL”). In 2020, the AAPL updated their definition of "Landwork" to consist of the following:

Negotiating for the acquisition or divestiture of minerals or real property associated with or connected to energy sources.

Determining ownership in minerals or real property associated with or connected to energy sources through the research of public and private records.

Managing rights and/or obligations derived from ownership of interests in minerals or real property associated with or connected to energy sources.

Negotiating business agreements that provide for the exploration for and/or development of minerals or real property associated with or connected to energy sources.

Reviewing the status of title, curing title defects, providing title due diligence and otherwise reducing title risk associated with ownership in minerals or energy sources or the acquisition and divestiture of minerals or real property associated with or connected to energy sources, but shall not include administrative, division order or lease analyst functions.

Unitizing or pooling of interests in minerals or real property associated with or connected to energy sources.