Anyone Sign up for the Marcelus Gas?

theo · Post by **theo** » Mon. Sep. 12, 2011 5:54 am

Anyone sign up for the Marcellus gas? Also I would like to know , how do I find out if I own the mineral right's to my property?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Sep. 12, 2011 7:30 am

Look on your "Abstract of Title"--they will have done a title search --for example--I have a deal w/ NYSEG from the 1940's for them to do maintenance/replacement on any power poles set on my property. Do your research on that gas contract--I had a lawyer friend (LOL) look at mine as did everyone of my neighbors--if anyone around you has signed, talk to them. They always offer real low per acre to start.

theo · Post by **theo** » Wed. Sep. 14, 2011 5:37 pm

Freetown, Thank You for the advice, I'am learning some about this!

I'am not good at all these " HI- TECH WORDS" that they like to use!

steamup · Post by **steamup** » Wed. Sep. 14, 2011 5:42 pm

The first thing the gas company tells you is "you don't need a lawyer".

If they are trying to lease your land, get a good lawyer to look it over and don't believe anything the gas company tells you that is not in the lease.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Wed. Sep. 14, 2011 5:58 pm

It's funny, but the land guy that spoke with me,suggested I have an attorney check out the contract he left which I did & after a couple changes, it was a done deal. I think that gas co's get a bad rap from the tree huggers. Me personally, if it is done safely & my ass is covered if something were to go wrong, is all I'm concerned with. Yes I've seen all the fanatic films from yrs back out of Texas & yes Penna. did have a time getting their problems straightened out & probably still are. I think that most of those VICTOMS did NOT have their contracts looked over & went right for the money offered. It's a shame on both party's.

steamup · Post by **steamup** » Thu. Sep. 15, 2011 8:12 am

freetown fred wrote:It's funny, but the land guy that spoke with me,suggested I have an attorney check out the contract he left which I did & after a couple changes, it was a done deal. I think that gas co's get a bad rap from the tree huggers. Me personally, if it is done safely & my ass is covered if something were to go wrong, is all I'm concerned with. Yes I've seen all the fanatic films from yrs back out of Texas & yes Penna. did have a time getting their problems straightened out & probably still are. I think that most of those VICTOMS did NOT have their contracts looked over & went right for the money offered. It's a shame on both party's.

My cousin has a little bit of land up the road from me. They offered a lease and said "you don't need a lawyer". He had a lawyer look at it and it basically signed away all of his rights and gave no enviromental protection for his land - all for little money. He told them to take a hike. Obviously depends on what gas company and who they hire to contract leases for them.

Any one offered a lease needs to research it carefully. What are the cleanup clauses if they come onto your land and build roads, etc. Will they fill in the "rat holes" which are the holes they drill to cool their drilling bits in? Who is responsible in case of a catostrophic failure?
Plus are you getting a fair dollar for you lease? Early signers got considerably less than the hold outs when they first started with these leases.

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Thu. Sep. 15, 2011 8:21 am

Fred, will they supply your farm with a fresh water source should your well become contaminated that seems to be one of the biggest issues around here, if your the only one in the area & your neighbors well goes south who is responsible if anyone the oil-gas Co.,drillers or you?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Thu. Sep. 15, 2011 8:39 am

One of the big things myself & neighbors had done was testing on our water/wells prior to any drilling activity--it's not cheap, but being there were several of us, we got a good deal. The testing was extensive, not just your basic, can we drink it test. Yes the gas co. will be responsible. They are also responsible for putting any "rat holes" back to their original condition as with any other land use things. Our Town & County had already implimented road wear & tear laws. We as a Town have been observing problems reported by other areas in the drilling process & taken appropriate steps to cover our butts. Most of it is no more then common sense put in legal contract form. Bottom line--it's our land & we are responsible for what goes on here. We also have designated local people to keep an eye on what the gas co's are doing when & if they get to this area. Yes we in this area feel we are getting a fair price per acre--of course, this is Freetown.

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Thu. Sep. 15, 2011 8:50 am

Just wondered, must be a different outfit than down mostly South of Pittsburgh, they seem to be having a nightmare down that way, there were a few that were done right & worked out well(no pun intended) but a whole bunch that not only got screwed money wise & maybe not that way but liability wise. Money wise they could probably afford to leave there homes & land sit & move to the city.