Dusty,
I had actually prepared a fairly extensive response to this and then was sidetracked with some other business matters. When I returned to my laptop to finish my response to you I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from Continental Resources addressing the issues at hand. I was very happy with the answers I received and the manner in which they were addressed. It appears that we have resolved the payment issue and I would say that 95% of the problems are now dealt with and before the end of next week it would appear that we should be successful in concluding 100% of the current issues. I would like to very briefly address your post with regards to your comments on me being sued for expressing myself and sharing my views and the information I learned up to this point.
First and foremost I in no way agree with your interpretation of my comments or that I could be sued for them. I understand why you might say that, but without spending a lot of time discussing the legal merits of such a case or lack thereof, or discussing the rule of law and past case law, I can assure you that I am not worried about this in the least. If you knew who I was or my background and representative industries and professions I am involved with, I doubt you would pose to me the question you did. Obviously you do not know this and that is fine. perhaps next time you find yourself here in Arizona you could contact me and I will be more than happy to invite you to my office and show you the numerous framed pieces of paper occupying most of the south facing wall of my study. We could enjoy a nice cup of coffee and I am sure a few laughs once you understood a little more about me and my profession. This is something I am very private about which you would appreciate. I would say that the odds that any company or profession you are now or have been involved in, were not in some way connected with my interests would be very, very, low.
I don't of course always agree with everyone's views and opinions, but I respect that there are diverging views and opinions and I believe that a healthy and respectable debate is important when addressing an important issue such as this. I appreciate your thoughts and hope you will take me up on my offer sometime.
My conversation with the folks at Continental was very informative and apologetic for the delay and lack of communication. They went out of their way to assure me of there commitment to keep this from occurring again. I think that they were also appreciative of sharing with them my frustration and the aggravation of others who have contacted me and shared their stories and opinions. I hope that the culmination of all of this will at the end of the day result in stronger communication between Continental and its mineral owners, as well as improved relations to everyones benefit.
I was pleased that Continental agreed that this situation would not have gone so awry if they had responded sooner. I was made aware of the various challenges and issues that they have been working to resolve to be more responsive and meet their obligations. They also addressed some of the rumors that are out there and satisfactorily answered all of my questions. I have a much more positive opinion of this company and feel that they need to get their message out to the mineral holders they are working with that details some of the information they shared with me. This will go a long way in clearing up some of the negative impressions out there and I think they are on the right track. In short order I expect them to accomplish this, and I relayed that I would share the positive impact of the call(s) I had with the Continental people as well as the anticipated positive outcome with my contacts in the media as well as the numerous other mineral holders that shared information with me and opinions that were negative and in some cases nothing more than rumors.
I will withhold final judgement until next week, but for now I must say that I am impressed with them as a company. If they had only communicated before this all got to the point where they were late delivering on their end of the transaction, A lot of misinformation and bad feelings would have been completely avoided. These guys know this and I am convinced they are working hard and doing their best to catchup. Continental in fact does pay its mineral holders and they pay on time once you are properly in the system. I did not have any title issues at all by the way, but I am aware of some of the intricate details now that are often prescient to most of the problems that result in delays. In my case they were simply behind...
I promised to report any progress or new information as I got it, and in keeping to this commitment I am pleased to report that the vast majority of the information I was previously told is either inaccurate or exaggerated and I do not believe there is any intentional delaying of funds owed to mineral holders. Once I conclude my current business matters with them next week, I will offer one last update to Dawn on the outcome of my transaction and give her some good recommendations and contact information which I hope will help both she and Continental resolve any unanswered questions or bad feelings. I always want to share the good deeds and any positive resolutions that have affected my opinions and views when they were previously very negative. Fair is fair and I am very pleased with the results of my discussion and turn of events. Dawn I would encourage you not to give up, and I know that these people are more than willing to tackle any questions you may have. They know there is a lot of upset people like you and I out there and hopefully the information I will share with you can be of some assistance.
All the best,
Shawn
Dusty said:
You may want to look up the definitions of libel and corporate defamation. Their lawyers may very well be busy with a new legal matter after reading your post.
FYI, whether or not relevant to your situation, you failed to note that under ND law, interest is not required to be paid if delays are attributable to title problems.
Shawn CJ Kling said:
I just happened to find this web site when I googled "Continental Resources NOT paying mineral rights". I am glad I found it and hopefully can be of some help to you. I googled this because I was too pissed off to sleep! It is 3:00 AM in the morning here in Scottsdale Arizona and I am trying to sleep and can't because of the stress caused by these people. That aside, let me try to help you as best as I can. I also have a well in the neighboring County McKenzie County.
1.) Continental Resources is THE MOST PROFITABLE COMPANY IN AMERICA! Don't take my word for it, verify this yourself.
2.) Continental Resources doesn't like to pay because they make their money on hedging oil and gold!
3.) Continental Resources is corrupt, they have a MASSIVE lobbying budget for Republicans in nearly every State.
4.) Continental Resources more or less owns the State of North Dakota and its State and Federal Representatives.
5.) Continental Resources MUST pay by law 150 days AFTER they start selling YOUR oil or gas.....
6.) IF Continental Resources does not pay after 150 days, then by State Law (ND anyway), they MUST pay you 18% Interest on any unpaid balance.
7.) Continental Resources NEVER pays anyone after 150 days.....
8.) To legally get your 18% interest you MUST FIRST send them a Notarized Letter demanding your 18% interest. They will not just send it to you....
9.) To get paid anything you must FIRST sign your Division Order and send it in.
10.) Continental Resources WILL NOT RETURN CALLS OR PAY YOU UNLESS YOU RAISE THE ROOF.
I am sorry to come of so strong, but I actually feel sorry for you. These people owe me money and I have done everything I am supposed to legally, but the LATEST EXCUSE is that they are behind because they are under staffed!!!!!!!!!!!
They are behind because they are using your money and mine to hedge on Oil and Gold. The DAILY return they can get doing this if they have large sums of money are astounding!!! It is worth it for them to NOT PAY YOU AND I and pay any fines, interest, or attorneys (They have A LOT) to hold you at bay as long as they can to use as much money of their mineral holders as possible. The daily return they get on hedging these items is so monumentally greater than all of the fees and interest that they MIGHT have to pay us, that it is WELL WORTH the hassle. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE THE MOST PROFITABLE COMPANY IN AMERICA!
They are bad, bad, bad, people, and unfortunately there is nothing you can LEGALLY really do about it. Your only prayer is if you happen to be an Attorney or very wealthy yourself and can make their plans difficult. If you raise enough hell you MIGHT have a 50/50 chance. Depending on where you live I would contact your local Congressman and hire an Attorney in North Dakota. You might as well file suit now if you ever want to see what is rightfully owed to you and file a complaint with your local congressional rep and pray, pray, pray that they are not already on the take. If you have a Democrat in your area then your odds just got SLIGHTLY better. You will learn if you hire an attorney that you are certainly not alone....
I truly wish you the very best and wish that I had better news for both of us.
All the best,
Shawn