315 posts found, showing 20 per page
CBS/ProPublica documentary records surface owners’ W.Va. Supreme Court victory!
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young July 14, 2019
“Powerless: The High Cost of Cheap Gas” the CBSN Originals & ProPublica documentary that follows Beth Crowder and David Wentz through the recent WV Supreme Court case and win against EQT premiered on CBSN on July 14, 2019. A report already appeared on the ProPublica website and the Charleston Gazette Mail on this case. A videographer […] More
Issues: Oil and Gas, Well pads
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young July 14, 2019
“Powerless: The High Cost of Cheap Gas” the CBSN Originals & ProPublica documentary that follows Beth Crowder and David Wentz through the recent WV Supreme Court case and win against EQT premiered on CBSN on July 14, 2019. A report already appeared on the ProPublica website and the Charleston Gazette Mail on this case. A videographer […] More
Issues: Oil and Gas, Well pads
Why Multiple Horizontal Wells from centralized well pads should be used for the Marcellus Shale
Advice, Blog, Leasing / Amendment Advice WVSORO July 8, 2019
The Marcellus Shale is the newest “play” in gas drilling in West Virginia and other states in the East. It is different from other plays in that it produces much more gas, and is under much more area (as explained below) than previous plays. More
Issues: Horizontal wells, Leasing, Marcellus shale
Advice, Blog, Leasing / Amendment Advice WVSORO July 8, 2019
The Marcellus Shale is the newest “play” in gas drilling in West Virginia and other states in the East. It is different from other plays in that it produces much more gas, and is under much more area (as explained below) than previous plays. More
Issues: Horizontal wells, Leasing, Marcellus shale
WV Surface Owners WIN BIG!
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young June 18, 2019
In a UNANIMOUS decision by the West Virginia Supreme Court on June 5 regarding Crowder & Wentz v. EQT Production, the court agreed that drillers and mineral owners have no right to use a surface owner’s land for well pads or roads etc. to develop minerals under neighboring mineral properties that do not underlie the surface owner’s land without the surface owner’s express permission. The Supreme court upheld the ruling previously made by Doddridge County Circuit Court, in a battle that we have been fighting for the past eight years. More
Issues: Fracking, Horizontal wells, Marcellus shale, Oil and Gas, Well pads
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young June 18, 2019
In a UNANIMOUS decision by the West Virginia Supreme Court on June 5 regarding Crowder & Wentz v. EQT Production, the court agreed that drillers and mineral owners have no right to use a surface owner’s land for well pads or roads etc. to develop minerals under neighboring mineral properties that do not underlie the surface owner’s land without the surface owner’s express permission. The Supreme court upheld the ruling previously made by Doddridge County Circuit Court, in a battle that we have been fighting for the past eight years. More
Issues: Fracking, Horizontal wells, Marcellus shale, Oil and Gas, Well pads
You now CAN block a horizontal well pad from being placed on your land
WV Surface Owners' Guide Update WVSORO June 5, 2019
If you own the surface and the minerals, and in particular any of the coal, then owning the coal will work for you to block them from using your land for a well pad that will contains several horizontal wells. More
Issues: Floodplains, Horizontal wells
WV Surface Owners' Guide Update WVSORO June 5, 2019
If you own the surface and the minerals, and in particular any of the coal, then owning the coal will work for you to block them from using your land for a well pad that will contains several horizontal wells. More
Issues: Floodplains, Horizontal wells
Surface Owners’ Rights Organization Renews Request to Governor To Put Well Plugging Money Bill on Special Session Call
Press Release WVSORO May 14, 2019
Three bills were alive on the last day of the Legislative Regular Session that would have provided money to begin plugging orphaned gas wells. Two, SB 665 and HB 2779, would together have paid to plug maybe 100 orphaned wells a year died unexpectedly. One bill, HB 2673, that might have plugged 60 orphaned wells a year did pass. However, it was unexpectedly vetoed by the Governor. That bill was reported to be vetoed for technical reasons. Putting an improved version of the vetoed plugging money bill on the special session call is an important first step to addressing the problem of these wells that pollute groundwater and surface and devalue innocent surface owners' lands. We ask the Governor to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Legislation, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
Press Release WVSORO May 14, 2019
Three bills were alive on the last day of the Legislative Regular Session that would have provided money to begin plugging orphaned gas wells. Two, SB 665 and HB 2779, would together have paid to plug maybe 100 orphaned wells a year died unexpectedly. One bill, HB 2673, that might have plugged 60 orphaned wells a year did pass. However, it was unexpectedly vetoed by the Governor. That bill was reported to be vetoed for technical reasons. Putting an improved version of the vetoed plugging money bill on the special session call is an important first step to addressing the problem of these wells that pollute groundwater and surface and devalue innocent surface owners' lands. We ask the Governor to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Legislation, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
WVSORO To Be Present to Answer Questions About Selling Surface Etc. during a NARO Town Hall Meeting on Buying & Selling Minerals
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young May 3, 2019
The National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) is having a town hall meeting on the buying and selling of minerals at the Doddridge County Park in West Union, WV, on May 16, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. More
Issues: Minerals-Royalties
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young May 3, 2019
The National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) is having a town hall meeting on the buying and selling of minerals at the Doddridge County Park in West Union, WV, on May 16, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. More
Issues: Minerals-Royalties
Legislative Update 2019: What Happened & What’s Next
Updates and Alerts WVSORO April 15, 2019
In the end there was lots to be disappointed about. No bill moved that would have prevented more wells from becoming orphaned. On the other hand, thanks in parts to the contacts some of you made when we asked you, we may get some money from at least one bill to start plugging wells and putting a dent into the existing problem. Importantly we did enormous consciousness raising causing on the orphaned well issue. We may yet get something this year. And with your help and support, we can do even better next year, not just on orphaned wells, but on pipelines, and on reunification, and on surface owner protections. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, DEP, Horizontal wells, Legislation, Marcellus shale, Oil and Gas, Orphaned wells, Reclamation fund
Updates and Alerts WVSORO April 15, 2019
In the end there was lots to be disappointed about. No bill moved that would have prevented more wells from becoming orphaned. On the other hand, thanks in parts to the contacts some of you made when we asked you, we may get some money from at least one bill to start plugging wells and putting a dent into the existing problem. Importantly we did enormous consciousness raising causing on the orphaned well issue. We may yet get something this year. And with your help and support, we can do even better next year, not just on orphaned wells, but on pipelines, and on reunification, and on surface owner protections. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, DEP, Horizontal wells, Legislation, Marcellus shale, Oil and Gas, Orphaned wells, Reclamation fund
Help Prevent One of the Most (If Not the Most) Widespread Environmental & Property Rights Disasters in WV
Updates and Alerts WVSORO February 15, 2019
One of, if not the most, widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever is now unfolding in West Virginia! WV-SORO needs your help to hold drillers responsible and keep this from happening. Please contact your Senators and Delegate(s) and tell them to support a strong Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act (SB 576 & HB 3065). More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Legislation, Oil and Gas, Orphaned wells, Water
Updates and Alerts WVSORO February 15, 2019
One of, if not the most, widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever is now unfolding in West Virginia! WV-SORO needs your help to hold drillers responsible and keep this from happening. Please contact your Senators and Delegate(s) and tell them to support a strong Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act (SB 576 & HB 3065). More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Legislation, Oil and Gas, Orphaned wells, Water
Legislation Introduced To Stop More Wells from Being Orphaned By Diversified, Other Drillers
Press Release WVSORO February 12, 2019
The “Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act” was introduced on this week on behalf of the West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization (WV-SORO). The legislation would require what are calling “plugging assurance” in order to prevent more oil and gas wells from being orphaned. Many drillers have already gone out of business leaving more than 4,500 wells orphaned with no driller to plug them, and the orphaned well crisis continue to grow unless the Legislature takes action. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
Press Release WVSORO February 12, 2019
The “Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act” was introduced on this week on behalf of the West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization (WV-SORO). The legislation would require what are calling “plugging assurance” in order to prevent more oil and gas wells from being orphaned. Many drillers have already gone out of business leaving more than 4,500 wells orphaned with no driller to plug them, and the orphaned well crisis continue to grow unless the Legislature takes action. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
Report: WV Shale Development Falls Short of Economic Promise
Blog WVSORO February 7, 2019
A new report from the WV Center on Budget and Policy has found that the nearly six-fold increase in West Virginia’s natural gas production in the last decade, due largely to shale development, or fracking, has fallen short of expectations for economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue generation. More
Issues: Fracking, Horizontal wells, Marcellus shale
Blog WVSORO February 7, 2019
A new report from the WV Center on Budget and Policy has found that the nearly six-fold increase in West Virginia’s natural gas production in the last decade, due largely to shale development, or fracking, has fallen short of expectations for economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue generation. More
Issues: Fracking, Horizontal wells, Marcellus shale
Plugging Assurance Legislation Needed to Stop More Wells from Being Orphaned by Diversified and Other Drillers
Press Release WVSORO January 18, 2019
One of the most widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever is now unfolding because West Virginia law allows drillers’ to use “blanket” performance bonds. It’s time for the Legislature to act and pass legislation that requires “plugging assurance” in the form of single well “plugging” bonds or the deposit of money now for future plugging into escrow. WV-SORO will soon have this Orphan Well Prevention Act legislation introduced and push for its passage this year. We can't wait any longer. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
Press Release WVSORO January 18, 2019
One of the most widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever is now unfolding because West Virginia law allows drillers’ to use “blanket” performance bonds. It’s time for the Legislature to act and pass legislation that requires “plugging assurance” in the form of single well “plugging” bonds or the deposit of money now for future plugging into escrow. WV-SORO will soon have this Orphan Well Prevention Act legislation introduced and push for its passage this year. We can't wait any longer. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
WV-SORO seeks hearing to convince DEP not to transfer plugging duty for 17,000 oil and gas wells
Press Release WVSORO November 20, 2018
WV-SORO is publicly urging the DEP to grant our hearing request so we can give the DEP evidence that the transfer of wells by EQT and others to Diversified is a constructive fraud on the surface owners and mineral owners of West Virginia, and that the transfers should not be approved. Approval of these transfers will pave the way for one of the most, if not the most, widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever in West Virginia, and it is preventable by not approving the transfers and leaving the cost of plugging with the companies that can afford to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
Press Release WVSORO November 20, 2018
WV-SORO is publicly urging the DEP to grant our hearing request so we can give the DEP evidence that the transfer of wells by EQT and others to Diversified is a constructive fraud on the surface owners and mineral owners of West Virginia, and that the transfers should not be approved. Approval of these transfers will pave the way for one of the most, if not the most, widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever in West Virginia, and it is preventable by not approving the transfers and leaving the cost of plugging with the companies that can afford to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
We’re Hiring; NARO Town Halls
Updates and Alerts WVSORO November 1, 2018
WV-SORO is hiring a part-time Outreach Coordinator to engage with and provide support to our membership and others dealing with oil and gas development on their land and in their communities. Details here. Also the National Association of Royalty Owners is hosting a series of town hall meeting for WV mineral owners, including a Q&A with experts on legal and policy issues affecting royalty owners in WV. More
Issues: Fracking, Legislation, Minerals-Royalties, Oil and Gas
Updates and Alerts WVSORO November 1, 2018
WV-SORO is hiring a part-time Outreach Coordinator to engage with and provide support to our membership and others dealing with oil and gas development on their land and in their communities. Details here. Also the National Association of Royalty Owners is hosting a series of town hall meeting for WV mineral owners, including a Q&A with experts on legal and policy issues affecting royalty owners in WV. More
Issues: Fracking, Legislation, Minerals-Royalties, Oil and Gas
Is There a Orphan Well on Your Land? Tell Us About It!
Updates and Alerts WVSORO October 9, 2018
WV-SORO is involved in several approaches to getting the industry to plug the 12,000 wells on surface owners’ land that have stopped producing. We would like some examples of those wells on your land to use in our approaches. If you have an “orphaned” well on your land that has been out of production for many years, we would like to hear from you. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Water
Updates and Alerts WVSORO October 9, 2018
WV-SORO is involved in several approaches to getting the industry to plug the 12,000 wells on surface owners’ land that have stopped producing. We would like some examples of those wells on your land to use in our approaches. If you have an “orphaned” well on your land that has been out of production for many years, we would like to hear from you. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Water
What are oil and gas wells’ “API” numbers? How to find them and use them to get info on wells.
Advice WVSORO October 2, 2018
To find information about a particular oil or gas well (or to talk to agencies or others about it) it is best if you have the well’s API number. The API number (short for American Petroleum Institute number). It is like a well’s social security number. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Advice WVSORO October 2, 2018
To find information about a particular oil or gas well (or to talk to agencies or others about it) it is best if you have the well’s API number. The API number (short for American Petroleum Institute number). It is like a well’s social security number. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Map of some pipelines
Pipeline Advice WVSORO September 25, 2018
The U.S. Department of Transportation which regulates pipeline safety has a web site with a map of where many interstate and some other pipelines are located. It does not include gathering lines owned by well drillers, or residential/commercial service distribution lines. More
Issues: Pipelines
Pipeline Advice WVSORO September 25, 2018
The U.S. Department of Transportation which regulates pipeline safety has a web site with a map of where many interstate and some other pipelines are located. It does not include gathering lines owned by well drillers, or residential/commercial service distribution lines. More
Issues: Pipelines
Don’t Sell Your Surface Land in Horizontal/Shale Drilling Country!
Aquiring Mineral Rights Under Your Land, Selling Land / Surface Owners Advice WVSORO August 2, 2018
Under the new 2018 Cotenancy statute, and even under an older statute that oil and gas well drillers sometimes use, surface owners could end up owning an interest in the oil and gas minerals under their surface tract! More
Issues: Minerals-Royalties
Aquiring Mineral Rights Under Your Land, Selling Land / Surface Owners Advice WVSORO August 2, 2018
Under the new 2018 Cotenancy statute, and even under an older statute that oil and gas well drillers sometimes use, surface owners could end up owning an interest in the oil and gas minerals under their surface tract! More
Issues: Minerals-Royalties
A well pad is going to be put near my house, and the driller is willing to buy me out. How much should I get?
Pads and Other Disturbance Advice WVSORO August 1, 2018
This page assumes you are the owner of the surface tract NEXT DOOR to the surface tract where the well pad is being placed. This page only applies to you if you are NOT the owner of the surface tract where the well pad is located (or significant disturbance actually occurs). More
Issues: Well pads
Pads and Other Disturbance Advice WVSORO August 1, 2018
This page assumes you are the owner of the surface tract NEXT DOOR to the surface tract where the well pad is being placed. This page only applies to you if you are NOT the owner of the surface tract where the well pad is located (or significant disturbance actually occurs). More
Issues: Well pads
A driller is putting a well pad near my house/land. What can I do about it?
Pads and Other Disturbance Advice WVSORO August 1, 2018
When the driller files for a permit from the State Department of Environmental Protection, you can comment on certain aspects of it. Watch the paper for notices. Or call the DEP and ask if a permit application has been received yet. More
Issues: Noise, Well pads
Pads and Other Disturbance Advice WVSORO August 1, 2018
When the driller files for a permit from the State Department of Environmental Protection, you can comment on certain aspects of it. Watch the paper for notices. Or call the DEP and ask if a permit application has been received yet. More
Issues: Noise, Well pads