No I did not return the signed lease without being compensated. I told them I needed to get paid the same time they received their paperwork, or fairly close.
Some companies are abusing the pooling process timeline. In this instance the operator mailed unsolicited letters to lease, then ONE week later a Pooling application and notice of hearing came with EVERYONE listed. We were told by the company that: "we typically don’t remove owners from the pooling respondent lists until the entire lease process has been completed - lease recorded and owner paid. It’s a precaution in case the deal falls through.“ So basically everyone is listed in pooling while they are also in the leasing process. The time frames have been tightened to favor the oil company–pushing the interest owner to “hurry” and make a decision–leaving very little time for due diligence and or consultation with your legal counsel.