New here and looking for help

Pennsylvania Mineral Rights Venango County, PA
1

I have been contacted by a friend in the area, that gas companies are interested in this area. I had a landman contact me two days later as far as I know I was the first to be contacted, since I know quite a few there. I own 21 acres but I think we can combine some adjacent land as well.

Ok how is this achieved, Lawyers? Landmen? or outside consulting company?

The offers I am reading are more than what was offered by the landman. Can a lease be combined with the royalty package?

I don’t live in the area at this time but also don’t want to destroy it for the future.

Any help would be great.

2

I had a Leaseing agent contact my father and I set up a meeting with him the following weekend. He came up with a contract and a notary guy. He was the rudest most pushy guy I have ever dealt with. Espically when we said we arenot going to sign anything untill we get more information on this and see if there are any better offers he got real pushy. Nothing I couldent laugh off really but then he called me about 3 times a week for a month and said one of the rudest most underhanded schemes I have ever heard. I would never deal with anyone like that. I am hopeing this is an isolated incodent and all leasers/landmen dont behave in such a brash manner.

Top of everthing the contract handed to us was an insult in just about evey aspect IMO. We have heard of people with a fraction of the acreage we have getting twice what was offered and better terms. I want to talk to a lawyer rite before I/ my Mother and Father agree to sign anything and see what everyone else is getting offered. Go from there if we do anything at all,

I also heard correct me if Im wrong that Shell is not intrested in Venango County anymore.

3

I was contacted by mail around Feb 1st by Caffey Company out of Fort Worth, Texas. Their offer was quite low from others I have heard of and I have an appointment with my attorney in March to discuss the issue.

4

I too am new to this discussion group; we are mineral rights owners in Cherrytree Township, Venango County in the Oil Creek State Park. The land was taken by the state by condemnation for eminent domain in 1969. My parents retained the mineral rights and Range Resources leased the rights and put a legacy well down in 1997. It is pretty much played out and they have not expressed any interest in another well. We cannot lease to anyone else, but can sell the rights. We have been contacted by Marc Resources and Northwest Bank Oil and Gas. There are any number of companies out there. My question is how much are rights selling for per acre there in Venango County. Marc seems to be okay to work with, but we are waiting for a good offer. I was told that Clarion County land is going for several thousand dollars per acre. Can anyone verify prices? Thanks, Terry Caldwell.

5

I’m not too sure how selling your mineral rights would be that different a concept as us leasing ours. There are attorneys out there who will fight to get you a decent lump sum of money per acre per 1-5 years or however long you want to sign the lease for. They also—and this is where you come in—have to pay out a percentage in royalties per well if a well does produce.

I can’t give a set price per leasing/selling per acre but I know a few people who have already received 4-5 thousand per in a 5 year lease agreement and a limit on heavy machinery, no landscaping, etc., that worked out seemingly well.

I wouldn’t make a move without an attorney on my side I know that’s for certain.

6

Thanks Neil, I have been away from the area for quite a while. Appreciate your help. I would ask if you have a name of a lawyer in the Venango County area who would help negotiate this.

7

Terry I will get the name of the Attorney who is helping us plus a group of people around the surrounding area. We all met as a large group. I’m sure he will fill you in on the technical, hard to figure out questions and if he’s not too busy I’m sure he will fight for you too. Maybe you could contact a few people you know up there and do it as a group of property/mineral rights owners. I’ll try to get back to you tomorrow or ASAP.

Terry Caldwell said:

Thanks Neil, I have been away from the area for quite a while. Appreciate your help. I would ask if you have a name of a lawyer in the Venango County area who would help negotiate this. Thanks, Terry Caldwell

8

Again thanks Neil, I will wait to hear back from you. If I understand things, it is not to be in a hurry to close a deal. We have been offered $35,000.00 for the rights to the acreage, but I do not think that is the best offer to be had. Terry

Neil Collins said:

Terry, I will get the name of the attorney who is helping us plus a group of people around the surrounding area. We all met as a large group. I’m sure he will fill you in on the technical, hard to figure out questions and if he’s not too busy I’m sure he will fight for you too. Maybe you could contact a few people you know up there and do it as a group of property/mineral rights owners. I’ll try to get back to you tomorrow or ASAP.

Terry Caldwell said:

Thanks Neil, I have been away from the area for quite a while. Appreciate your help. I would ask if you have a name of a lawyer in the Venango County area who would help negotiate this. Thanks, Terry Caldwell

9

I’m curious Terry How many Acres do you own In Venango County?

No No, Terry, Our Lawyer Steven C. Townsend, Esq. Wrote out a contract and brief header (This isn’t the exact quote) explaining how a few companies are out of the race there or are just waiting for a good time to make more offers. So if the competition has thinned out it may take a little longer to market our particular land in order to receive a lease that will provide adequate protections as well as fair compensation for our resources. He is going to periodically update us on the market and interest in our land as a good attorney should and has been doing. So I see and I agree with your statement that time is not of the essence 100%.

Here is the information I said I would pass on to you (Anyone else looking for an outstanding, experienced Lawyer who will find the best deal for you and yours). I, Neil Collins, as a family member who owns land will give the Lawyer working for us my wholehearted recommendation. Yes he Does and will work in Venango County. As far as his workload and availability I don’t know about. You would have to call or e mail direct.

ShaleAdvice, LLC Steven C. Townsend, Esq. 1600 Lawyers Building 428 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA, 15219 Telephone# (885) 534-7788 Website: www.ShaleAdvice.com tell him that Paul Collins and Frank Gregg recommended him

Terry Caldwell said:

Again thanks Neil, I will wait to hear back from you. If I understand things, it is not to be in a hurry to close a deal..We have been offered $35,000.00 for the rights to the acreage …but I do not think that is the best offer to be had…terry

Neil Collins said:

Terry I will get the name of the Attorney who is helping us + a group of people around the surrounding area. We all met as a large group. I’m sure he will fill you in on the technical, hard to figure out questions and if he’s not too busy I’m sure he will fight for you too. Maybe you could contact a few people you know up there and do it as a group of property/mineral rights owners. I’ll try to get back to you tomorrow or ASAP.

Terry Caldwell said:

Thanks Neil, I have been away from the area for quite awhile..Appreciate your help..I would ask if you have a name of a lawyer in the Venango County area who would help negotiate this…Thanks, Terry Caldwell

10

Hi Neil, well I have tried the number you gave me for Mr. Stevens; but it appears to be an incorrect one. Can you resend it to me? 1-885-534-7788 does not go through. Thanks Terry. FYI the acreage is 140.5 acres. Thanks again, Terry.

Neil Collins said:

I’m curious Terry, how many acres do you own in Venango County?

No, no, Terry, our lawyer Steven C. Townsend, Esq. wrote out a contract and brief header (this isn’t the exact quote) explaining how a few companies are out of the race there or are just waiting for a good time to make more offers. So if the competition has thinned out it may take a little longer to market our particular land in order to receive a lease that will provide adequate protections as well as fair compensation for our resources. He is going to periodically update us on the market and interest in our land as a good attorney should and has been doing. So I see and I agree with your statement that time is not of the essence 100%.

Here is the information I said I would pass on to you (anyone else looking for an outstanding, experienced lawyer who will find the best deal for you and yours). I, Neil Collins, as a family member who owns land will give the lawyer working for us my wholehearted recommendation. Yes, he does and will work in Venango County. As far as his workload and availability I don’t know about. You would have to call or email direct.

ShaleAdvice, LLC Steven C. Townsend, Esq. 1600 Lawyers Building 428 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA, 15219 Telephone# (885) 534-7788 Website: www.ShaleAdvice.com tell him that Paul Collins and Frank Gregg recommended him

Terry Caldwell said:

Again thanks Neil, I will wait to hear back from you. If I understand things, it is not to be in a hurry to close a deal. We have been offered $35,000.00 for the rights to the acreage, but I do not think that is the best offer to be had. Terry

Neil Collins said:

Terry I will get the name of the attorney who is helping us plus a group of people around the surrounding area. We all met as a large group. I’m sure he will fill you in on the technical, hard to figure out questions and if he’s not too busy I’m sure he will fight for you too. Maybe you could contact a few people you know up there and do it as a group of property/mineral rights owners. I’ll try to get back to you tomorrow or ASAP.

Terry Caldwell said:

Thanks Neil, I have been away from the area for quite a while. Appreciate your help. I would ask if you have a name of a lawyer in the Venango County area who would help negotiate this. Thanks, Terry Caldwell.

11

Terry, This is his contact info straight from the website I linked you up to. If these don’t work try an email or wait for me to get the paperwork again. Neil Collins

Mr. Townsend’s Cell again is Cell: 412-901-7352

Tell him Paul Collins and Frank Gregg gave their recommendation.