surface interest
surface interest. Oil & gas. Every right in real property other than the mineral interest. • The surface-interest owner has the right to the surface subject to the right of the mineral-interest owner to use the surface. The surface-interest owner is entitled to whatever nonmineral substances are found in or under the soil. — Also termed surface right. Cf. MINERAL INTEREST ; SUBSURFACE INTEREST. [Cases: Mines and Minerals 55(6).C.J.S. Mines and Minerals §§ 177, 180, 182–185, 428, 434–435.]