New Resources and Advice
Surface Owners’ News – 2026 Annual Newsletter
Newsletter WVSORO Jan 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. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, DEP, Horizontal wells, Injection wells, Land re-union, Land use, Leasing, Legislation, Minerals-Royalties, Orphaned wells
Newsletter WVSORO Jan 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. 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 Dec 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 Dec 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 Very Newest Gas Leasing (and Lease Amendment) Royalty Advice
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO Aug 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 Aug 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
Have you been threatened with forced pooling/unitization? Have your received papers giving you notice of a forced pooling/unitization hearing?
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO Jun 7 2022
This is WVSORO's advice to mineral owners (and assurance to surface owners) after passage of forced pooling/unitization legislation effective June, 2022. More
Issues: Pooling
Leasing / Amendment / Royalties Advice WVSORO Jun 7 2022
This is WVSORO's advice to mineral owners (and assurance to surface owners) after passage of forced pooling/unitization legislation effective June, 2022. More
Issues: Pooling
Should You Take Ownership of a Well to Keep Free Gas? If So, How?
Free Gas Advice WVSORO Oct 12 2024
WVSORO does not recommend having ownership of an old gas well transferred to the surface owner in order to keep free gas for a home. Owning a well means that when the well needs to be plugged, it is you who will be responsible if the State acts. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Free Gas Advice WVSORO Oct 12 2024
WVSORO does not recommend having ownership of an old gas well transferred to the surface owner in order to keep free gas for a home. Owning a well means that when the well needs to be plugged, it is you who will be responsible if the State acts. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Should surface owners sign pore space lease etc. papers? If so, how much money should you get?
Advice WVSORO Mar 7 2024
What should you do if someone knocks on your door and wants to lease the pore space in the formations under your surface land? More
Advice WVSORO Mar 7 2024
What should you do if someone knocks on your door and wants to lease the pore space in the formations under your surface land? More