Natural Gas Rights and Claims

Rich deposits in the Marcellus Shale

Western Pennsylvania is the site of large deposits of natural gas in what is known as the Marcellus Shale layer, which lies a few thousand feet below the surface.  This makes tracts of land over the rich deposits and mineral rights very valuable.  The rural landowners who own sizeable tracts of land or mineral rights are inundated with requests from energy companies to either buy or lease the gas rights.  However, determining which offer is most beneficial and negotiating the complex legal matters that are involved in leasing or sale calls for the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney familiar with the situation.

Valuing the gas under your property

For one thing, it is important to have informed help to determine how the gas under the surface of your property should be valued for leasing or sale.  Once that is established, you also need an experienced lawyer to negotiate or complete a transaction using all the factors bearing upon the value.  One of the key factors is the location of the access to the gas in relation to the transmission line. 

Old leases may be declared invalid

Another issue that comes up is the situation of many rural landowners whose property titles are burdened by old leases.  In many of those cases, the lessee energy company has not complied with the terms of the lease and it may be possible to get it declared invalid.  Litigation may be necessary to clear the title or declare the lease invalid.  But once that is done, the owner is permitted to lease the rights to a company who will pay a just price in up-front cash plus royalties possibly exceeding the required minimum.

Securing the value of your property

If you are a landowner approached by energy companies to buy or lease your property over the Marcellus Shale, contact me online or call 877-450-3648 for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your situation. 

John A. Caputo Attorney At Law services the following counties.