Forced pooling legislation sought in West Virginia
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
West Virginia landowners may be able to allow gas companies to drill deep horizontal wells on their properties.
According to Charleston Daily Mail, House Bill 2688 will allow for forced pooling, also known as lease integration. Under current law, one holdout affects all other mineral rights owners; if one property owner does not approve of drilling, the mineral rights owners won’t receive royalty payments and development is prevented.
Forced pooling legislation already exists for shallow Marcellus Shale wells. This legislation will allow for deep horizontal drilling in the Utica Shale, which can be found in much of the state.
Via: Charleston Daily Mail > Pooling legislation would ease development of shale gas wells
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What are mineral rights?
Mineral rights are the rights of the owner of the property to mine or produce any resources below the surface of the property. Mineral rights are different from surface rights.
Will I get free natural gas if I allow fracking on my property?
Maybe. It depends on your particular lease agreement. Some companies allow property owners a yearly free gas allowance. But, the process of connecting your property to the gas source may be more complicated. Some companies will provide a hookup, others require the landowner to provide one.