Forced pooling in WV

I would like to start a discussion which will attempt to bring to light any news relating to current 'forced pooling' legislation in West Virginia.  If anyone has news regarding the status of this issue in the legislature, or would like to post contact information for their representatives, for those who would like to contact them, it would be most welcome here.  

We need to protest this violation of our private property rights. 

I have drafted a letter that may be used as a template for anyone to use.  Feel free to copy it, insert your county, and sign your name:

As a resident of                    County, WV, I am writing to inform you of my opposition to any legislation that would support or advance the practice of seizure of private property in the form of 'unitization', 'lease integration', or 'forced pooling' of privately held mineral rights. 

 

Legislation of this type is a violation of our constitutional rights regarding private property, and will strip landowners of their negotiation strength as well, should they be willing to lease their property.

Sincerely,

                                 


 Please pass along contact information for your local representatives.

 

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Permalink Reply by Dan Warner on February 18, 2015 at 7:56am

Thanks Todd.

That is encouraging news.

You have me wondering if perhaps you are a janitor in the Capitol.

 ; )

I appreciate your taking the time to keep us 'in the know', and I applaud Mr. McGeehan's willingness to stand against the tide on our behalf.

I wonder if the latter two have so much as read the bill in its entirety.

Permalink Reply by sally on February 18, 2015 at 9:40am
Well this bill show up on the agenda again next week?
Permalink Reply by Todd on February 18, 2015 at 10:38am

I would think so.  The process has merely been slowed down a bit.

Permalink Reply by Todd on February 21, 2015 at 4:17pm

West Virginia residents and landowners,

The House Judiciary Committee is voting on the Forced Pooling Bill known as HB 2688 this Monday morning.  Mr. Ryan Weld is currently undecided which way to vote.  His vote could be the deciding vote!

Those who oppose forced pooling should email Ryan Weld. 

Ryan Weld    (R - Brooke, 02)

CONTACT

ryan.weld@wvhouse.gov Capitol Office: Room 224E, Building 1 State Capitol Complex Charleston, WV 25305 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3367 Home: 2225 Marianna Street Wellsburg, WV, 26070 Home Phone: (304) 737-4185 Business Phone: (304) 670-6605

Also, here is a link to the all of the members of the House Judiciary Committee.

I wouldn't hurt to email each member:

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/house/HouseCommittee.cfm?Ch...

House Judiciary  - Agenda

Monday, February 23, 2015, 9:00 AM

Location: Room 418

9:00 AM Meeting called to order

Roll call

  Approval of minutes

  SB357/HB2566  Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015 

HB2688  Providing for the unitization of interests in drilling units in connection with all horizontal oil or gas wells

Permalink Reply by D L T on February 21, 2015 at 4:52pm

The Wv mineral association is saying they are for the bill and they think it is a fair compromise.  They fail, as always, to read between the lines on what will happen.  As I have said, the companies are not about fair, or they would not be pushing this bill.  I do not see that as being a good thing for mineral owners.  When the company presents the amounts paid from all those leases they obtained from unassuming mineral owners that will be huge. The hearing committee will use the amounts paid on those leases to help determine the fair value of your minerals in that area.  That is not going to help the owner in getting any more than 12.5% since hundreds of people signed for that percentage.  What this bill means is, give up your minerals because we're here to get our way and have the money to do so.

Permalink Reply by Todd on February 21, 2015 at 5:25pm
D L T,
Why would a company negotiate with you when they can take want they want free of any bonus. Let's say you have 100 acres. They only need 25 of your 100 acres for their unit. They take the 25 acres with the legistlature's permission. Then you have 75 acres next to a unit remaining just sitting there uneconomically because the company that took the other 25 is the only show in town.

I can't think of one scenario where giving up your mineral rights and private property privileges benefits the landowner.
Permalink Reply by D L T on February 22, 2015 at 6:47am

The deck is stacked and the oil companies are using every trick from other states to pull a fast one on the owners.  That is how the rich get richer, by getting something at a bargain and selling it for a big profit.  I don't think these people voting on these bills or in this case, Ireland who sponsored it, give a crap, since it's not affecting them. Ireland has property leased so he will benefit if he gets this bill passed.

Permalink Reply by Todd on February 22, 2015 at 6:59am

Time for everyone for email Ryan:

ryan.weld@wvhouse.gov

And the remaining House Judiciary Committee Members:

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/house/HouseCommittee.cfm?Ch...

Here is an adaptation of Dan's drafted letter that I urge you to send to each delegate:

"As a land and mineral owner in                    County, WV, I am writing to inform you of my opposition to any legislation, more specifically HB 2688, that supports and advances the practice of seizure of private property in the form of 'unitization', 'lease integration', or 'forced pooling' of my privately held mineral rights.       

       
Legislation of this type is a violation of our constitutional rights regarding private property, and will strip landowners of their negotiation strength as well, should they be willing to lease their property."
NOT limited to landowners -- all WV residents who oppose.
Permalink Reply by Todd on February 25, 2015 at 5:25pm

The WV Royalty Owner's Association support of the forced pooling bill HB 2688 should be discredited because the organizer and president of WVROA, Ronald Hayhurst, is accused of conspiring with the Marshall County Commission to defraud the plaintiff of his oil and gas rights. Judge Bailey denied motions to dismiss the complaint so there must be something there.   

   
This case is currently in Federal Court at the United States Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.  Please see attachment.  
   
This complaint is unbelievable against Ronald Hayhurst.  This information needs to be presented to the Legislature and House Judiciary Committee ASAP in my opinion.  It is possible that Hayhurst organized the WV Royalty Owners Association as way to create political influence for the acceptance and false belief for WV mineral rights owners and politicians that forced pooling somehow is good for private citizens.  I don't know where to start regarding the conduct of his fraudulent business tactics to steal and sell 1238 acres of mineral rights that were purportedly "delinquent" on $27 of taxes.  It is egregious.  And the fact that he is running this business from a home in Orlando makes it all the more suspect.   
   
It should be considered that Ronald Hayhurst created the WV Royalty Owners Association and supports this bill in order to allow his fraudulent business tactics to prosper at the dire expense of actual mineral owners.   
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