Sell Your Cherokee Shale and Red Fork Mineral Rights

The Western Anadarko Basin is experiencing a resurgence. After years of limited activity, operators are aggressively drilling the Cherokee Shale, Red Fork, and other members of the Des Moines Group across western Oklahoma. If you own mineral rights in this emerging play, you have a valuable asset.

Berlin Royalties is actively purchasing mineral rights in the Cherokee and Red Fork plays. We're a Tulsa-based company with deep knowledge of Oklahoma's oil and gas landscape, and we're paying competitive prices for minerals in the Western Anadarko Basin.

The Cherokee Shale: Oklahoma's Emerging Horizontal Play

The Cherokee Shale is generating significant industry excitement. Located in the Western Anadarko Basin, this play targets multiple zones within the Cherokee Group—including the Cherokee Shale itself, the Skinner Sand, and the Red Fork Sand.

What makes the Cherokee attractive to operators:

True unconventional potential. The Cherokee Shale is being developed as a horizontal resource play, similar to how the SCOOP and STACK transformed central Oklahoma.

Proven economics. SandRidge Energy committed $144 million in 2024 to acquire Cherokee assets in Ellis and Roger Mills counties, calling it "a proven and highly productive area."

Active drilling. Multiple rigs are currently drilling Cherokee and Red Fork wells across the play, with operators continuing to push the boundaries of the productive area.

Multiple pay zones. The Des Moines Group offers stacked targets—Cherokee Shale, Skinner, and Red Fork—giving operators multiple opportunities from a single location.

The Red Fork Formation

The Red Fork Sandstone is a prolific producing interval within the Des Moines Group. Historically drilled vertically across much of Oklahoma, the Red Fork is now being targeted with horizontal wells in the Western Anadarko Basin.

The Red Fork is a Pennsylvanian-age (Desmoinesian) formation consisting of interbedded sandstones and shales. In the deeper parts of the basin, the Red Fork is overpressured and gas-rich. Recent horizontal tests have delivered strong initial production rates, with some wells producing 300-400 barrels of oil per day.

Key Counties in the Play

The Cherokee Shale and Red Fork plays are concentrated in western Oklahoma, including:

• Roger Mills County — Core area of Cherokee development

• Ellis County — Active Cherokee and Red Fork drilling

• Custer County — Cleveland and Red Fork targets

• Dewey County — Cleveland formation activity expanding

• Beckham County — Emerging activity

• Caddo County — Red Fork and other Des Moines targets

• Blaine County — Western edge of activity

• Washita County — Red Fork potential

If you own minerals in any of these counties, they may be in or near active development areas.

Major Operators in the Western Anadarko Basin

Several well-capitalized operators are driving activity in the Cherokee and Red Fork plays:

SandRidge Energy — Made a major $144 million acquisition in the Cherokee play in 2024 and is actively developing assets in Ellis and Roger Mills counties.

Mewbourne Oil Company — One of the most active private drillers in the region, Mewbourne doubled its well count in 2023 and has seen significant improvements in well performance.

Devon Energy — Maintains strategic operations in the basin and is testing Cherokee wells in the area.

Crawley Petroleum — Running multiple rigs with strong Red Fork and Meramec results.

Upland Exploration — Focused on Cleveland and Tonkawa formations with advanced completion designs.

When major operators invest heavily in an area, mineral values typically increase due to active drilling and competition for acreage.

Why Mineral Owners Are Selling Now

The renewed activity in the Western Anadarko Basin creates an opportunity for mineral owners. Here's why some choose to sell:

Capitalize on increased interest. When drilling activity picks up, mineral values rise. Selling during active development lets you capture that premium.

Lock in value. Commodity prices fluctuate, and plays can cool off. Selling converts future uncertainty into present-day cash.

Simplify your holdings. If you inherited minerals or own small fractional interests scattered across multiple counties, selling consolidates your assets into cash you can use or invest elsewhere.

Avoid the hassle. Managing minerals means tracking royalty payments, filing taxes, responding to division orders, and dealing with operators. Some owners prefer a clean exit.

What Are Cherokee and Red Fork Minerals Worth?

Values in the Western Anadarko Basin vary depending on several factors:

• Location within the play — Minerals in the core areas of Roger Mills and Ellis counties command higher prices than those on the fringes

• Production status — Producing minerals with active royalty income are worth more than non-producing minerals

• Lease status — HBP (held by production) acreage vs. open acreage

• Remaining drilling locations — Acreage with undrilled locations is more valuable

• Operator quality — Minerals operated by well-funded companies are more desirable

The best way to know what your minerals are worth is to get an offer from an active buyer. Berlin Royalties provides free, no-obligation valuations for minerals in the Cherokee and Red Fork plays.

Why Sell to Berlin Royalties?

Local expertise. We're based in Tulsa and understand the Western Anadarko Basin. We know the operators, the geology, and the economics.

Fair, transparent offers. We explain exactly how we value your minerals. No games, no pressure tactics.

Fast closings. Most transactions close within 30 days. We handle all paperwork and pay closing costs.

We buy all sizes. Whether you own 1 net mineral acre or 100, producing or non-producing, we're interested.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my minerals are in the Cherokee or Red Fork play? If your minerals are in Roger Mills, Ellis, Custer, Dewey, Beckham, Caddo, Blaine, or Washita County, they may be in or near the active play area. We can research your specific location and let you know what formations are being targeted nearby.

I'm already receiving royalty checks. Can I still sell? Yes. We purchase producing minerals. You would receive royalty payments through the closing date, and future royalties would go to us as the new owner.

What if my minerals aren't leased yet? We buy both leased and unleased minerals. Non-producing minerals in areas with active drilling interest still have value based on their development potential.

How is this different from the SCOOP and STACK? The Cherokee and Red Fork plays are located in the Western Anadarko Basin, generally west of the SCOOP and STACK areas. They target different geological formations (Des Moines Group vs. Woodford/Meramec) but use similar horizontal drilling techniques.