CPL Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CPL facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A royalty clause states 'free of cost at the well.' This language most likely means: → Post-production costs cannot be deducted from the royalty
2. How is a mineral owner's royalty typically calculated when their tract is included in a pooled unit? → Royalties are based on the mineral owner's proportionate acreage in the unit
3. In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), how many acres does a standard quarter-section contain? → 160 acres
4. When a lease contains no pooling clause, an operator who pools the leased acreage without the lessor's consent may face what consequence? → The pooling is invalid and the lessor may claim unpooled royalties
5. What is the primary purpose of a surface use agreement in oil and gas operations? → Establish terms for operator access to and use of surface land during operations
6. A variance is best described as: → An administrative exception allowing a specific deviation from zoning standards
7. Which of the following best describes 'contract novation' in the context of oil and gas assignments? → The original obligor is released and a new party is substituted with the obligee's consent
8. In GIS terminology, what is a 'topology' most useful for when managing oil and gas lease data? → Ensuring spatial relationships and data integrity between features
9. In a title opinion, which section typically outlines the conditions that must be met before the company can drill or operate? → Requirements section
10. What is the role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)? → To regulate interstate energy markets and infrastructure
11. Which of the following interests is NOT considered a cost-bearing interest? → Royalty interest
12. A landman is asked by a supervisor to backdate a lease to avoid a lease expiration. What is the correct response? → Refuse, as backdating is fraudulent and unethical
13. Which GIS data format is most commonly used to store vector data such as lease boundaries and well locations in oil and gas land management? → Shapefile
14. Which of the following is a fundamental principle of mineral rights & royalty calculations as it applies to Certified Professional Landman? → Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards
15. A pipeline easement document states the width as '50 feet.' From which point is this width typically measured for a pipeline centerline easement? → 25 feet on each side of the pipeline centerline
16. Which of the following GIS operations would best help a landman identify all surface owner parcels that would be accessed by a proposed pipeline corridor? → Select by location using a spatial intersection
17. A landman negotiating a surface use agreement should verify zoning classifications primarily because: → Local zoning may impose conditions on construction, access roads, and facility siting
18. Model form unit operating agreements for unitization are most commonly based on forms published by: → The American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL)
19. Under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (FOGRMA), what is the primary obligation placed on lessees regarding royalty payments? → Accurately measure, report, and pay royalties on oil and gas produced from federal leases
20. Under the AAPL Standards of Practice, a landman who is uncertain about a legal question affecting a title should: → Recommend consulting a licensed attorney
21. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CPL professional when a conflict of interest arises during oil & gas lease negotiation activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
22. Which type of notice is imputed to a buyer because a document is properly recorded in the public records? → Constructive notice
23. What is the primary purpose of a Paid-Up lease in oil and gas leasing? → To eliminate the need for annual delay rentals by paying them in advance at signing
24. Under the AAPL Code of Ethics, when a landman discovers a material error in a lease already executed by a mineral owner, what is the ethical obligation? → Disclose the error to the mineral owner promptly
25. Under EPA's Underground Injection Control (UIC) program, Class II wells are specifically designated for: → Injection of fluids associated with oil and natural gas production
26. Which document typically establishes the long-range vision for land use in a county or municipality and serves as the legal basis for zoning ordinances? → Comprehensive Plan (General Plan)
27. What is the primary purpose of an affidavit of heirship in oil and gas title work? → To establish identity of heirs when no probate has been filed
28. A 'Pugh clause' in an oil and gas lease primarily serves to: → Release acreage outside a pooled unit from the lease at end of primary term
29. What is the primary purpose of pooling in oil and gas operations? → To combine multiple mineral interests into a single tract for development
30. A 'curative instrument' in land title work is used to: → Correct or eliminate a title defect