OIL & GAS
Our firm provides counsel to landowners approached by oil
and gas companies seeking to lease from the landowner the
right to drill and produce oil and gas from the property.
Landowners generally own both the surface and sub-surface
rights; our attorneys will discuss with you your rights
under an oil and gas lease and negotiate on behalf of the
landowner for the most favorable terms from the oil and gas
company, including protections and payments running to the
landowner. We encourage landowners to find out as much as
possible about the oil and gas leasing, drilling, and
operational processes.
Oil and gas activity in Ohio
has increased in recent years as Technology now permits
drilling in the Utica and Marcellus shales, which are deeper
shale formations. Third party companies in our area have
been making offers for leases with $50 to $100 for the per
acre up-front bonus payment and a relatively low royalty
percentage compared to what has been offered by major oil
companies in other Ohio counties. In addition to negotiating
favorable financial terms, our firm reviews with landowners
the burdens placed on leased property, including potential
limitations on surface use and potential environmental
impacts, before signing a lease.
Our firm has successfully
negotiated and concluded oil and gas leases for landowners
in multiple counties. Our firm has represented landowners in
litigation concerning oil and gas leases to enforce
landowner rights under the leases. Our firm has litigated
easement issues against oil and gas companies on behalf of
landowners, including litigation over the Rockies Express
Gas Transmission pipeline and the Marathon Ashland Petroleum
refined products pipeline.
If you have questions
regarding an existing oil and gas lease that encumbers your
property or if you are approached by an oil and gas company,
a landman, or other third party inquiring about your
willingness to enter into an oil and gas lease, we invite
you to contact our office. If you have interest in leasing
your land for oil and gas exploration and production, we
encourage you to learn more about the entire process by
using the resources listed to the left. If you want to learn more about
the
Buckeye Landowners Group formed by our firm for those
landowners who want an oil and gas lease on their property,
please click on the link to the left.
