Fashion designer Tom Ford has bought mineral rights beneath his Galisteo ranch southeast of Santa Fe in an attempt to protect his land from possible oil exploration in the region.

Ford paid the state Land Office about $84,000 earlier this year to purchase the mineral rights to more than 1,400 acres, according to Land Office records.

Ford's attorney, Janet McKay, declined to comment other than to say, "We are protecting our land by holding these rights."

The purchase came in response to Tecton Energy's controversial proposal to drill eight exploratory wells on 65,000 acres in the Galisteo Basin where it has acquired mineral rights.

Ford's representatives initially tried to persuade the Land Office not to sell oil and gas leases on property near his ranch, said John Bemis of the Land Office.

"The office was obligated to proceed with the bid sale because the agency is charged with raising revenue from the use of state trust lands to benefit public education," said Bemis, an assistant commissioner for oil, gas and minerals.

Ford grew up in Santa Fe before moving on to become one of the world's most influential fashion designers, with Yves Saint-Laurent, Gucci and then his own Tom Ford line.