Posts by WVSORO
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The WV Legislature: Looking Back On 2025, Looking Ahead To 2026
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
With your help, we made a difference in 2025. We will be back at the Legislature in 2026, ready to fight against the latest crop of bad ideas. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Land re-union, Leasing, Orphaned wells
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
With your help, we made a difference in 2025. We will be back at the Legislature in 2026, ready to fight against the latest crop of bad ideas. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Land re-union, Leasing, Orphaned wells
Updated Royalty Advice for Leasing and Lease Amendments
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
This information applies if the company is offering you a new lease for gas, oil, and/or liquids. It also applies if there is an old gas or oil lease on your land and the company wants you to sign an amendment to the lease. The guidance covers advice on royalty negotiations, warns against agreeing to lower royalties or signing under pressure, explains forced pooling and cotenancy, and cautions that the driller’s lawyers draft the lease language and often include provisions that are not in your best interest. More
Issues: Land use, Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Well pads
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
This information applies if the company is offering you a new lease for gas, oil, and/or liquids. It also applies if there is an old gas or oil lease on your land and the company wants you to sign an amendment to the lease. The guidance covers advice on royalty negotiations, warns against agreeing to lower royalties or signing under pressure, explains forced pooling and cotenancy, and cautions that the driller’s lawyers draft the lease language and often include provisions that are not in your best interest. More
Issues: Land use, Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Well pads
WV SORO and Allies Sue Over WV DEP Carbon Capture Oversight
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
WV SORO, along with three environmental organizations, has filed suit in the US District Court to challenge the EPA’s decision to grant primacy of permitting and oversight of injection wells. We should learn from history. If EPA’s decision to grant West Virginia primacy is allowed to stand, the critical oversight of these wells will be underfunded. More
Issues: DEP, Injection wells, Land use, Pore space
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
WV SORO, along with three environmental organizations, has filed suit in the US District Court to challenge the EPA’s decision to grant primacy of permitting and oversight of injection wells. We should learn from history. If EPA’s decision to grant West Virginia primacy is allowed to stand, the critical oversight of these wells will be underfunded. More
Issues: DEP, Injection wells, Land use, Pore space
Court Grants WV SORO Amicus Role in Mine Subsidence Case
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
The West Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to allow WV SORO to file a "friend of the court" amicus brief in the appeal of an Ohio County couple whose case was dismissed for waiting too long to file for compensation for harm to their land caused by longwall coal mining subsidence. The lawsuit relies on the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and the WV Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act, which provide compensation for subsidence harm and do not include a statute of limitations. Read more here. More
Issues: DEP, Land use
News WVSORO January 22, 2026
The West Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to allow WV SORO to file a "friend of the court" amicus brief in the appeal of an Ohio County couple whose case was dismissed for waiting too long to file for compensation for harm to their land caused by longwall coal mining subsidence. The lawsuit relies on the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and the WV Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act, which provide compensation for subsidence harm and do not include a statute of limitations. Read more here. More
Issues: DEP, Land use
Surface Owners’ News – 2026 Annual Newsletter
Newsletter WVSORO January 22, 2026
Read about how we’re holding regulators and drillers accountable, and fighting the latest crop of bad ideas proposed by the WV Legislature. While you're here, be sure to check out recent additions to the website, including our latest advice on leasing pore space for carbon sequestration. In this issue: Court Grants WV SORO Amicus Role in Mine Subsidence Case; WV SORO and Allies Sue Over WV DEP Carbon Capture Oversight; Updated Royalty Advice for Leasing and Lease Amendments; The WV Legislature: Looking Back On 2025, Looking Ahead To 2026 More
Issues: Abandoned wells, DEP, Horizontal wells, Injection wells, Land re-union, Land use, Leasing, Legislation, Minerals-Royalties, Orphaned wells
Newsletter WVSORO January 22, 2026
Read about how we’re holding regulators and drillers accountable, and fighting the latest crop of bad ideas proposed by the WV Legislature. While you're here, be sure to check out recent additions to the website, including our latest advice on leasing pore space for carbon sequestration. In this issue: Court Grants WV SORO Amicus Role in Mine Subsidence Case; WV SORO and Allies Sue Over WV DEP Carbon Capture Oversight; Updated Royalty Advice for Leasing and Lease Amendments; The WV Legislature: Looking Back On 2025, Looking Ahead To 2026 More
Issues: Abandoned wells, DEP, Horizontal wells, Injection wells, Land re-union, Land use, Leasing, Legislation, Minerals-Royalties, Orphaned wells
I’m Supposed to Be Getting Gas or Oil Royalties, But I’m Not! What Can I Do?
Advice, Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO December 19, 2025
One newer and one older law passed by the Legislature help mineral owners (including those who also own the surface) get unpaid royalties. Particularly recently, as production from old conventional wells declines, we are seeing driller/operators not sending out the checks they should be. Here is what can be done. More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Oil and Gas
Advice, Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO December 19, 2025
One newer and one older law passed by the Legislature help mineral owners (including those who also own the surface) get unpaid royalties. Particularly recently, as production from old conventional wells declines, we are seeing driller/operators not sending out the checks they should be. Here is what can be done. More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Oil and Gas
WVSORO’s follow up press release
Press Release WVSORO October 28, 2025
No one is more affected by orphaned wells than surface owners whose land is devalued by and potentially polluted by unplugged wells. Neither surface owners nor environmental groups were consulted, and they were surprised by, the press release announcing of a new plugging assurance deal with the State’s largest well owner. Our initial response was based solely on questions the press release raised. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO October 28, 2025
No one is more affected by orphaned wells than surface owners whose land is devalued by and potentially polluted by unplugged wells. Neither surface owners nor environmental groups were consulted, and they were surprised by, the press release announcing of a new plugging assurance deal with the State’s largest well owner. Our initial response was based solely on questions the press release raised. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
DEP “Consent Agreement”
Document WVSORO October 28, 2025
This Consent Order (hereinafter “Order” or “Consent Order”) is issued by the Office of Oil and Gas (hereinafter “OOG”), by and through its Interim Chief, More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
Document WVSORO October 28, 2025
This Consent Order (hereinafter “Order” or “Consent Order”) is issued by the Office of Oil and Gas (hereinafter “OOG”), by and through its Interim Chief, More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
The Governor’s plugging assurance deal with Diversified does not plug wells like they say it does.
Blog WVSORO October 27, 2025
Diversified got big by buying wells from bigger operators who might have had the money to plug those wells, but Diversified will not have enough money to plug all those wells. This new scheme got good press for the Governor and Diversified. It somehow uses multi-layers of "insurance" companies unknown to us. And even assuming their unrealistic numbers, the scheme will not generate enough money to plug all or maybe even half of the wells Diversified will eventually need to plug. Does it take the plugging liability off Diversified's books so it can buy more wells in other states so it can milk them and not be able to plug them either? That is one of several concerns. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
Blog WVSORO October 27, 2025
Diversified got big by buying wells from bigger operators who might have had the money to plug those wells, but Diversified will not have enough money to plug all those wells. This new scheme got good press for the Governor and Diversified. It somehow uses multi-layers of "insurance" companies unknown to us. And even assuming their unrealistic numbers, the scheme will not generate enough money to plug all or maybe even half of the wells Diversified will eventually need to plug. Does it take the plugging liability off Diversified's books so it can buy more wells in other states so it can milk them and not be able to plug them either? That is one of several concerns. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
WVSORO files comments against data center and its natural gas power plant near Thomas, West Virginia
Blog WVSORO August 20, 2025
A mysterious organization called Fundamental Data has filed for an air permit with the DEP for this. An extraordinary number of comments against it were filed. WVSORO supported the group comments, and did separate comments pointing out problems with noise and skyglow, and that the construction will change the population, housing demand etc. and spoil a treasured unique area for natural recreation. UPDATE: DEP granted the air permit, but there may be further challenges. More
Issues: Data center, DEP, Pollution
Blog WVSORO August 20, 2025
A mysterious organization called Fundamental Data has filed for an air permit with the DEP for this. An extraordinary number of comments against it were filed. WVSORO supported the group comments, and did separate comments pointing out problems with noise and skyglow, and that the construction will change the population, housing demand etc. and spoil a treasured unique area for natural recreation. UPDATE: DEP granted the air permit, but there may be further challenges. More
Issues: Data center, DEP, Pollution
West Virginia Supreme Court grants WVSORO’s motion to file an amicus brief in long wall mining surface subsidence compensation case.
Press Release WVSORO August 20, 2025
The case on appeal is about when the clock starts -- if at all -- on surface owners' suits for subsidence compensation: Surface owners think there should be no statute of limitations, or if there is, there should be equitable tolling where surface owners do not know when the mining occurs or when the subsidence will be over. More
Press Release WVSORO August 20, 2025
The case on appeal is about when the clock starts -- if at all -- on surface owners' suits for subsidence compensation: Surface owners think there should be no statute of limitations, or if there is, there should be equitable tolling where surface owners do not know when the mining occurs or when the subsidence will be over. More
WVSORO’s Very Newest Gas Leasing (and Lease Amendment) Royalty Advice
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO August 18, 2025
New leasing dynamics plus the passage of the "cotenancy and "forced pooling" laws have made some of our leasing advice on this website a little stale. Please go here for the newest advice and for links to more updated advice on leasing and on pooling and unitization and cotenancy. More
Issues: Leasing, Oil and Gas
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO August 18, 2025
New leasing dynamics plus the passage of the "cotenancy and "forced pooling" laws have made some of our leasing advice on this website a little stale. Please go here for the newest advice and for links to more updated advice on leasing and on pooling and unitization and cotenancy. More
Issues: Leasing, Oil and Gas
Diversified gets well plugging shortcut through 2025 Legislature (people signing new leases/amendments should disallow shortcut).
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO May 28, 2025
WVSORO was able during the 2025 West Virginia Legislature to stop the bill that would have cut the statute of limitations on back unpaid royalties. That was the good news. However, Diversified was able to use its political muscle to get a bill through, HB 3336, that weakened well plugging requirements. More
Issues: Legislation, Minerals-Royalties
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO May 28, 2025
WVSORO was able during the 2025 West Virginia Legislature to stop the bill that would have cut the statute of limitations on back unpaid royalties. That was the good news. However, Diversified was able to use its political muscle to get a bill through, HB 3336, that weakened well plugging requirements. More
Issues: Legislation, Minerals-Royalties
Concerned Organizations Petition Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals To Challenge the Grant of Primacy to West Virginia For Permitting and Oversight of Carbon Capture and Sequestration Wells
News WVSORO May 12, 2025
The West Virginia Surface Owner’s Rights Organization, along with three environmental organizations, and represented by lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates, have petitioned the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging EPA’s decision to grant primacy of oversight of the drilling and closure of carbon dioxide injection wells... More
Issues: Injection wells
News WVSORO May 12, 2025
The West Virginia Surface Owner’s Rights Organization, along with three environmental organizations, and represented by lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates, have petitioned the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging EPA’s decision to grant primacy of oversight of the drilling and closure of carbon dioxide injection wells... More
Issues: Injection wells
Surface Owners’ News – Winter 2024-2025
Newsletter WVSORO March 26, 2025
In this issue: Video Tour of Gas Wells in Kanawha State Forest; The WV Legislature: Looking Back on 2024, Ahead to 2025; Plugging the Leaks: West Virginia's Orphaned Well Crisis; Watching Out for Field Tap Customers When Gas Pipelines Get Abandoned; Good News (Kind, Sort of) on a Key Diversified Lawsuit; EPA Approves WV for Carbon Sequestration Despite Risks; Support Our Work More
Issues: Abandoned wells, EPA, Legislation, Orphaned wells
Newsletter WVSORO March 26, 2025
In this issue: Video Tour of Gas Wells in Kanawha State Forest; The WV Legislature: Looking Back on 2024, Ahead to 2025; Plugging the Leaks: West Virginia's Orphaned Well Crisis; Watching Out for Field Tap Customers When Gas Pipelines Get Abandoned; Good News (Kind, Sort of) on a Key Diversified Lawsuit; EPA Approves WV for Carbon Sequestration Despite Risks; Support Our Work More
Issues: Abandoned wells, EPA, Legislation, Orphaned wells
Tell the Legislature: Pass the Orphaned Well Prevention Act!
Updates and Alerts WVSORO March 24, 2025
Irresponsible oil and gas well drillers have 12,000 idle wells that should already be plugged. We need to stop more wells from being orphaned. We need the Orphaned Well Prevention Act! More
Issues: Oil and Gas, Orphaned wells
Updates and Alerts WVSORO March 24, 2025
Irresponsible oil and gas well drillers have 12,000 idle wells that should already be plugged. We need to stop more wells from being orphaned. We need the Orphaned Well Prevention Act! More
Issues: Oil and Gas, Orphaned wells
GOOD NEWS, KINDA, ON THE DIVERSIFIED LAW SUIT TO GET IT (AND EQT) TO PLUG MORE WELLS.
News WVSORO January 17, 2025
Diversified has been buying up wells from EQT and others -- wells that we know, based on calculations from its public disclosures, Diversified will not end up having the money to eventually plug. Diversified is milking the last gas and oil out of the declining wells and selling it to pay to itself and stockholders (and sponsor WVU sports) instead of using or banking the money to plug more of its wells. The "kinda" good news is that the law suit has settled. The bad news is that it is not all we had hoped for. If you have a Diversified well that is on your property what does this settlement mean for you? You may get a notice or see one in the paper which will give you the option to opt out of the class. Should you do so? More
News WVSORO January 17, 2025
Diversified has been buying up wells from EQT and others -- wells that we know, based on calculations from its public disclosures, Diversified will not end up having the money to eventually plug. Diversified is milking the last gas and oil out of the declining wells and selling it to pay to itself and stockholders (and sponsor WVU sports) instead of using or banking the money to plug more of its wells. The "kinda" good news is that the law suit has settled. The bad news is that it is not all we had hoped for. If you have a Diversified well that is on your property what does this settlement mean for you? You may get a notice or see one in the paper which will give you the option to opt out of the class. Should you do so? More
WVSORO comments on Hope Gas line abandonment and alternatives for field tap gas customers.
Tap Gas WVSORO January 7, 2025
[Updated February 25] This issue is not to be confused with “free gas”. Free gas is what some surface homeowners get when there is a gas well on their property. Field taps (often called "farm taps") are where rural surface owners with gathering or transmission lines across them are allowed to tap into the pipeline, set a meter, and pay for natural gas service. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Tap Gas WVSORO January 7, 2025
[Updated February 25] This issue is not to be confused with “free gas”. Free gas is what some surface homeowners get when there is a gas well on their property. Field taps (often called "farm taps") are where rural surface owners with gathering or transmission lines across them are allowed to tap into the pipeline, set a meter, and pay for natural gas service. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
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