327 posts found, showing 20 per page
Have you been sued, or threatened to be sued, for partition of your minerals?
Advice, Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice Kayla Young December 17, 2019
Drillers have to get all of the co-owners (usually heirs of family property, and technically "cotenants") to sign a lease or a pooling amendment to a lease, before they can drill. What if the driller cannot get all the co-owners to sign but the driller still wants to drill? More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Oil and Gas
Advice, Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice Kayla Young December 17, 2019
Drillers have to get all of the co-owners (usually heirs of family property, and technically "cotenants") to sign a lease or a pooling amendment to a lease, before they can drill. What if the driller cannot get all the co-owners to sign but the driller still wants to drill? More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Oil and Gas
Legislative Priorities 2020 E-Blast
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young December 5, 2019
We want to hear from you!! Now is your chance to get involved in the legislative priorities for the WV Surface Owners' Rights Organization for the upcoming 2020 session! We work for you and this year we've created an online survey to make it as easy as possible for your voice to be heard. The survey is very short and easy to fill out! More
Issues: Fence-line monitoring, Land re-union, Orphaned wells, Pollution
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young December 5, 2019
We want to hear from you!! Now is your chance to get involved in the legislative priorities for the WV Surface Owners' Rights Organization for the upcoming 2020 session! We work for you and this year we've created an online survey to make it as easy as possible for your voice to be heard. The survey is very short and easy to fill out! More
Issues: Fence-line monitoring, Land re-union, Orphaned wells, Pollution
WV-SORO 2020 Legislative Priorities
Blog WVSORO December 1, 2019
Legislation to have the property rights of surface owners recognized, to increase their chances of owning some of the minerals under them, and to deal with orphaned wells and other environmental problems, continue to be WV-SORO's legislative priorities for 2020. We will also be active opposing legislation the industry introduces (out of its sense of entitlement) which will harm the interests of surface owners (including some fortunate few of whom are also small mineral interest owners). More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Eminent domain, Fence-line monitoring, Horizontal wells, Land re-union, Orphaned wells, Pipelines
Blog WVSORO December 1, 2019
Legislation to have the property rights of surface owners recognized, to increase their chances of owning some of the minerals under them, and to deal with orphaned wells and other environmental problems, continue to be WV-SORO's legislative priorities for 2020. We will also be active opposing legislation the industry introduces (out of its sense of entitlement) which will harm the interests of surface owners (including some fortunate few of whom are also small mineral interest owners). More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Eminent domain, Fence-line monitoring, Horizontal wells, Land re-union, Orphaned wells, Pipelines
Governor’s Appointment to Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Blasted
Press Release, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young October 29, 2019
A representatives of surface owners and mineral owners today blasted the Governor for appointing a long time leading oil and gas industry member, a person who is still a consultant and expert witness for the industry, to the seat designated for the public on the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. More
Press Release, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young October 29, 2019
A representatives of surface owners and mineral owners today blasted the Governor for appointing a long time leading oil and gas industry member, a person who is still a consultant and expert witness for the industry, to the seat designated for the public on the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. More
Orphaned Wells: The Widespread Problem and the Potential Solutions
Advice Kayla Young October 10, 2019
WVSORO believes that the most widespread property rights and pollution issue in West Virginia is orphaned oil and gas wells. There are 4,500 already on property owners across the State. We predict another 10,000 in 30 years. The Legislature needs to take action. More
Issues: Orphaned wells
Advice Kayla Young October 10, 2019
WVSORO believes that the most widespread property rights and pollution issue in West Virginia is orphaned oil and gas wells. There are 4,500 already on property owners across the State. We predict another 10,000 in 30 years. The Legislature needs to take action. More
Issues: Orphaned wells
If You Get an EQT Class Action Benefit Notice, Do Not Sign for the “Optional Pooling Benefits!”
Advice, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young October 7, 2019
9500 people are getting a "Tawney [Non-]Compliant Flat Rate Claim Form and Benefit Notice" regarding the settlement of the royalty class action case of Kay Co., v. EQT Production Co. If you got that, WVSORO recommends that you DO NOT SIGN ON PAGE THREE for the optional pooling benefits provided in section "B" beginning on page 2 for leases in Wetzel, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ritchie, Taylor and Tyler Counties. More
Advice, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young October 7, 2019
9500 people are getting a "Tawney [Non-]Compliant Flat Rate Claim Form and Benefit Notice" regarding the settlement of the royalty class action case of Kay Co., v. EQT Production Co. If you got that, WVSORO recommends that you DO NOT SIGN ON PAGE THREE for the optional pooling benefits provided in section "B" beginning on page 2 for leases in Wetzel, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ritchie, Taylor and Tyler Counties. More
The Provisions Needed by Surface Owners In Surface Use Agreements
Advice Kayla Young August 26, 2019
This page on our website has been updated to include the effect of a recent West Virginia Supreme Court case that in essence says that surface owners’ agreement is needed for the placement of well sites for horizontal wells on their land. In particular the updated page links to advice to surface owners who might agree to use of their land for the right price and with the right protections. More
Advice Kayla Young August 26, 2019
This page on our website has been updated to include the effect of a recent West Virginia Supreme Court case that in essence says that surface owners’ agreement is needed for the placement of well sites for horizontal wells on their land. In particular the updated page links to advice to surface owners who might agree to use of their land for the right price and with the right protections. More
Updates from WV-SORO!
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young August 15, 2019
We've got quite a few updates for you! More
Issues: Horizontal wells, Well pads
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young August 15, 2019
We've got quite a few updates for you! More
Issues: Horizontal wells, Well pads
WVSORO files comment on PSC investigation into gas supplies for residential field taps on transmission lines
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young August 5, 2019
Residences and businesses in cities receive natural gas from lines owned by distribution companies. Those distribution companies get their gas from transmission lines. The transmissions lines get their gas from gathering lines that are attached to the gas wells. Many rural residences and businesses in areas where gas wells are located also receive natural gas […] More
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young August 5, 2019
Residences and businesses in cities receive natural gas from lines owned by distribution companies. Those distribution companies get their gas from transmission lines. The transmissions lines get their gas from gathering lines that are attached to the gas wells. Many rural residences and businesses in areas where gas wells are located also receive natural gas […] More
Help us with suggestions for, and experiences with, surface use agreements.
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young August 4, 2019
With the Crowder case finally decided in favor of surface owners by the West Virginia Supreme Court, surface owners can now (with rare exceptions) refuse to allow their surface to be used for a well pad for horizontal wells. Let us know what you'd like to see in a Surface Owners Agreement. More
News, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young August 4, 2019
With the Crowder case finally decided in favor of surface owners by the West Virginia Supreme Court, surface owners can now (with rare exceptions) refuse to allow their surface to be used for a well pad for horizontal wells. Let us know what you'd like to see in a Surface Owners Agreement. More
Information on the Marcellus Shale
Blog WVSORO August 4, 2019
Numerous links to resources for information on the Marcellus Shale More
Issues: Leasing, Marcellus shale, Oil and Gas
Blog WVSORO August 4, 2019
Numerous links to resources for information on the Marcellus Shale More
Issues: Leasing, Marcellus shale, Oil and Gas
WVSORO Legislation Presentation This Monday & Documentary Premiere on WV Surface Owners
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young July 17, 2019
WVSORO to present to Legislature on orphaned wells This Monday, Dave McMahon of WVSORO is going to present to a West Virginia Legislative interim committee on problems of and solutions for orphaned wells. The presentation will be Monday July 17, 2019 at 3 pm. The public can tune in to watch and listen by going […] More
Updates and Alerts Kayla Young July 17, 2019
WVSORO to present to Legislature on orphaned wells This Monday, Dave McMahon of WVSORO is going to present to a West Virginia Legislative interim committee on problems of and solutions for orphaned wells. The presentation will be Monday July 17, 2019 at 3 pm. The public can tune in to watch and listen by going […] More
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 / Royalties 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 / Royalties 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