Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by patricia on November 28, 2013 at 4:00am

Phil,

This site, I feel it is my site since I follow it all the time, gave a map to click on that showed where some prospective wells were to be going in.  I should have tried to copy this section of the map.  

The person who signed the letter is Bryan Finchum Surface Landman with JWCI as agent for XTO Energy, Inc.  At the bottom is James Wright & Company, Inc. 1380 Hwy 286 East Suite 212, Indiana, Pa.  with a fax # (phone and no phone says to me an address with a room available when needed).  He mentioned "surveying activity conducted by Gannett Fleming, Brent Ramsey (Project Manager)". with phone.  Also a Joe Whitfield the ZTO Surface Landman with phone.

The landman in my area was transferred to a different location.l  He was very nice and friendly giving me lots of information and guidance .  He even gave me a large map of our area showing who all had signed etc.  Showed where a pipe line is being considered through my property in the future from the next road over.

The farmer across the road has over 100 acres.  He spends a lot of time in Branson, Mo.

Thanks for everything.   Patricia

Permalink Reply by Philip Thackray on November 28, 2013 at 4:36am

Hi Patricia,

XTO has begun using outside Landmen reporting to XTO headquarters in Houston, TX.  From a negotiating standpoint that has created a much harder bargaining position.

But I agree with Oliver Perry, their request to have access to your property is probably legitimate.  If you are seriously questioning what is going on, then try to contact John Maloy at the XTO Warrendale office - 1 800 842 8091 - he is the inside Landman (local - old Phillips) and a very good guy.  Joe Whitfield is an old Phillips guy as well and I have heard good things about him.

I am current negotiating a lease with XTO and am using Wil White at Dillon, McCandless King Coulter & Graham in Butler.  Wil is VERY experienced in Oil and Gas and has a lot of experience with XTO.

Look into Oliver Perry’s recommendation as well although I do not know anything about Ron Coyer.

Good luck!

Phil

Permalink Reply by Oliver Perry on November 28, 2013 at 8:33am

Patricia,

Ron Coyer has dealt with Shell extensively, probably not so much with XTO. I would follow the advice Phil gave above. Phil has been down this road and is much more knowledgeable in this area than I am.

I said in an earlier post that I don't see a down side to allowing XTO to survey your property. After thinking about it, it is possible XTO could drill across the road from you and not need your property for the unit. Because of that possibility, it might be advisable to insist on being leased before allowing a survey. 

Since you need legal advice on the trust anyway, I would discuss all the possibilities with a competent O&G attorney.  

Thanks for offering advice from your personal experience Phil, it is very much appreciated by the good folks of Butler County. 

Permalink Reply by patricia on November 28, 2013 at 9:31am

Hi fellows,  I just noticed what I should have see, at the top of the page isq

Kasenter Unit #1H

This the name of the family to the left of the back side of my property.  They will not drill on or under my land but the creek that goes through my land goes near his land and will be part of the wet land that they need to survey.

The property is on Saxonburg Rd. just a little to the left (facing Butler) of what had been  Mineral Springs.  

Thanks,Patricia

Permalink Reply by Oliver Perry on November 28, 2013 at 4:25pm

Patricia,

Albert Kasenter originally leased his 67 acres with Phillips in 2007. He signed a three year extension of that lease in 2012 with XTO/Phillips. Either the well will be on his property or he will be the largest parcel in the new unit and the well will be close-by. I attached a map of the area with the Kasenter parcel highlighted. It might be of interest to others who live in the area to know the general location of the new unit.

If you don't think they need you for the unit, I don't see any reason to allow them to survey your property for free. They should pay you to make it worth your trouble in my opinion. You are under no obligation to them. If you aren't in this unit, there will be many more units to come in your area in the coming years and perhaps you will be in a future unit.  Good luck to you.

Regards, Oliver 

Attachments:

• Kasenter Unit 1H General Location.pdf, 262 KB

Permalink Reply by patricia on November 29, 2013 at 7:39am

Dear Oliver, Philip, and Fairmktvalue

I can not thank you guys enough.  I love the map sent.  I printed it. Starting on Fisher rd. and going west is my land.  1/2 of the line butts Kasenter.   This is the area that Darrell said they are planning to put a pipe line through to connect to the pipe line Phillips has going down Fisher Rd.  Ben Ginter is across the road from me.  From the map I saw it showed they are considering putting two wells on his land that faces my barn. At that time I was told that Ginter and I would be the only ones in the pole.  Although I don't plan on anything till it happens.

At my age I figure that I will probably not see anything from a well on my land.  This is why I want the trust to protect the children and grandchildren.  I will call one of the lawyers on Monday.  The last offer was 3,500 and at the time was asked what I would consider.  Since I didn't have the trust in line I didn't consider it.  I don't count the jerk from DuBois who was for the birds.

Thank you all, Patricia 

Permalink Reply by Philip Thackray on November 29, 2013 at 8:35am

Patricia,

Another name to consider for setting up the trust and gas and oil work is the “married to each other – lawyer team” of Joe and Katie Charlton.  I have heard good things about them.  Being a very small firm – the two of them plus a paralegal – they would be very attentive.  And they are close to you on South Pike Road.  See here

A friend of mine who has XTO wells on his property says that Joe Whitfield is a good guy.  I met him once but have no personal experience with him.  I’m pretty sure he reports to John Maloy who I mentioned earlier.

XTO has a monopoly in your area following a massive exchange of properties with Rex Energy this Spring.  From a bargaining over the lease standpoint, this is not good for the landowner.  On the positive side, this allows XTO to more easily form units unhindered by Rex lease holdings.

Good luck!

Phil

Permalink Reply by Philip Thackray on November 29, 2013 at 1:30am

Oliver Perry,

You have set an example of sharing your knowledge!  If I can add something too – I’m pleased.

Patricia,

It is very likely that there will be well pads on both the Kasenter and Ginter properties, so you will be offered a lease.  My 2 cents: “the best is the enemy of the good” I wish you “good”.

Regards

Phil

Permalink Reply by FairMktValue on November 29, 2013 at 2:06am

Patricia,

Lucky you are to have both Oliver and Phil participate in this discussion. IMHO they are two of this sites most valuable resources. Kudos to you both for taking the time share valuable information. ( I knew you two would show up and was happy when you did)

Oliver, you really do your homework, unlike a slug like me that is too lazy to comb through the deeds and memorandum. Always good info.

Phil, your insight on XTO in particular is invaluable. That's certainly not to say that other areas of your expertise are gibberish! LOL   Quite the contrary.

Anyway, done with the pats on the back.......

Patricia, I echo the advice from Phil and Oliver above and think you are certainly in a good position to get a "fair" lease offer soon or in the near future.

Cheers

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