The photograph above is an example of the early drilling of oil wells on the smallest of parcels pursuant to the Rule of Capture – in this case, even on city lots. Photo with permission from Where It All Began

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As explained in the introduction, almost everyone’s interest is harmed if more than 4 wells are drilled to drain the 400 acres!

This next segment of this slide show will illustrate how the Rule of Capture results in extra, unnecessary wells being drilled.  Three examples will be shown of the bad results from the lack of forced well spacing and royalty sharing laws for all wells drilled in West Virginia.  Then an example will be given showing what would happen if there were laws for forced well spacing and royalty sharing for all wells drilled in West Virginia.