A member of the Pennsylvania State Senate is concerned that gas companies might receive the ability to force landowners into “pools” as part of the proposed severance tax bill. More at The Times Tribune.
Leases & Royalties
Forced Pooling in Pennsylvania
Indian Shale Gas Lease Auction
The Indian government is preparing to hold their first auction of gas shale properties in August 2011. More in an article on the Business-Standard.com website.
Lawsuit Over Broken Barnett Shale Promises
A few landowner associations in Texas reached agreements with large natural gas producers in early 2008 but the producers never delivered leases to individual landowners. Now the landowners are organizing for a court challenge. More in the Star Telegram.
Federal Royalty Rates Too Low?
The US government plans to have a study done to determine if they are not getting their fair share when they lease land for oil and gas drilling. They are going to compare their royalty rates with amounts received by other governments. More at TheHill.
Obama’s Offshore Drilling Plan
This video describes President Obama’s offshore drilling plan that will open certain Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters to oil and gas drilling.
Property Owners Fail to Escape Lease Agreements
A group of property owners in Pennsylvania signed early leases for their Marcellus Shale gas properties then tried to wiggle out were foiled by a unanimous decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. More in the Washington Post.
Free Webinar on the Impact of Natural Gas Shales – March 18th
A free webinar titled: “The Impact of Marcellus Shale: What Do the Economic Impact Studies Imply?” is scheduled for Thursday, March 18th at 1:00 PM and hosted by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. You can register on their website.
Shale as a Long-Term Income Stream
An article in the Houston Chronicle explores why major oil companies have taken an interest in natural gas shales. Part of the reason is that the resource has a long lifetime.
Oil and Gas Leasing Changes at DOI
“The Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management launched several reforms to the onshore oil and gas leasing process in an effort to improve protections for land, water, and wildlife and reduce potential conflicts that can lead to costly and time-consuming protests and litigation of leases. In addition, Secretary Salazar issued a Secretarial Order creating a new Energy Reform Team.” Quoted from the DOI website.
Mineral Rights Forum
If you have questions about mineral rights they can be posted at a new and growing forum at MineralRightsForum.com. They have active discussions for natural gas shales, oil and gas leasing and much more.
