Is the state holding your oil and gas royalties?
The state of Texas is holding $3 billion in unclaimed property, including $461.1 million in unclaimed oil and gas royalties — money that’s reported to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and turned over to the state by companies when they can’t find mineral owners.
In addition to the cash from oil and gas production, one in four Texans has long-lost money sitting in abandoned bank accounts, uncashed checks, utility refunds and other forgotten places.
The money sitting around in the state’s sock drawer from oil and gas royalties alone is enough to buy a six-pack of Shiner Bock, a half-gallon of Bluebell Ice Cream and breakfast tacos for everyone in Texas ($17.73 for all 26 million of us).
And with drilling and oil production booming once again across much of Texas, and with shale drilling technology making it possible to drill in previously unprofitable regions, the amount of unclaimed money is growing.
More at http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/08/06/is-the-state-holding-your-oil-and-gas-royalties/?cmpid=hpts .
= new reply since forum marked as read
and you didn't have to search between the couch cushions.
Out of curiosity about how much was there waiting for you to claim it? 
Not a lot but better than nothing 