The American Association of Professional Landmen is a voluntary international professional organization that unites approximately 12,000 landmen and land-related persons through professional development and service.

AAPL is made up of men and women with varied educational backgrounds. The majority have business degrees; many have expanded their scope with law degrees. In the past 25 years, numerous landmen have come from the petroleum and minerals land management degree programs offered by several universities. AAPL members work for major oil companies, large and small independent companies and as self-employed independent landmen.

Under the direction of its volunteer leadership and a professional staff, AAPL provides its members professional development opportunities through seminars, workshops, home study programs, conferences, annual meetings, the award-winning bimonthly Landman magazine, bimonthly Landman 2 mini-magazine, the annual Directory and Guidebook (both in printed and electronic formats), workbooks, institute proceedings, industry forms and contracts, the Certified Professional Landman and Certified Professional Landman/ESA programs, the AAPL Web site (www.landman.org) and the industry-renowned NAPE® Expo.

AAPL provides background information on energy issues to U.S. Senate, House, and special governmental committee hearings; to state/province and federal agencies and legislative aides; to the media; and to community and special interest groups. AAPL is a governing member of the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, the LSU Mineral Law Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and has representation on many other industry organization boards.

AAPL provides service to the land profession and the industry with the enforcement of the AAPL Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. AAPL also provides speakers on energy, mineral and environmental issues and career development programs.

AAPL works closely with six universities which have approved land management degree programs. AAPL provides scholarships, curriculum direction, industry speakers and advisors, employment opportunity contacts and industry field trips.

The American Association of Professional Landmen is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and has 43 affiliated local associations throughout the United States and Canada.

What is a Landman?

Landmen constitute the business side of the oil and gas and mineral exploration and production team.

Company landmen negotiate deals and trades with other companies and individuals, draft contracts (and administer their compliance), acquire leases and ensure compliance with governmental regulations.

Independent field landmen serve clients on a contract basis and are generally the industry’s contact with the public as they research courthouse records to determine ownership and prepare necessary reports, locate mineral/land owners and negotiate oil and gas leases and various other agreements with them, obtain necessary curative documents and conduct surface inspections before drilling.

Independent land consultants serve clients on a contract basis and much effort is directed to due diligence examinations required in the purchase and sale of companies and properties.