West Virginia court decision sides with landowners this time
Monday, July 1, 2019
Despite its recent ruling in Andrews v. Antero, the West Virginia Supreme Court’s most recent ruling represents a rare victory for its residents, according to Shale Ohio.
EQT was sued by landowners and lessors Crowder and Wentz after it drilled on their land to access natural gas underneath neighboring properties. The high court ruled in favor of the landowners, determining lesses may only use surface lands to aid in the development of minerals and they may not use the surface lands of a lessor to develop an adjacent tract without the express permission of the landowner.
In defining EQT’s actions as trespassing, the 5-0 ruling sets a legal precedent.
Learn more: Shale Ohio > West Virginia decisions highlight conflict between oil & gas companies, landowners
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.