A Texas company is suing a northwestern North Dakota couple for not allowing surveyors on their land to search for oil.

Houston-based Geokinetics Inc. says Wayne and Brenda Marmon of Stanley have refused to allow the company access. The company says the Marmons own the land but not the mineral rights.

Geokinetics provides seismic-data services for the oil and gas industry. The company says it has a state permit to conduct "geophysical exploration" on the couple's property.

Geokinetics says the surveying costs $3,500 an hour, and delays have cost the company and its clients about $75,000 so far.

The Marmons could not immediately be reached for comment.

- Associated Press