Companies already have thousands of acres under lease.
Only so many drilling rigs that can drill only ____ wells in a year.
Limited capacity in pipes, processing plants, markets etc. Drilling programs likely to go on for the next 10, 20, 30 years? More?
Companies now lease, unitize 800+ acres, drill a couple of wells to hold the unit and move on.
Where are Lessees likely to do the most drilling first? and then ... ? Maybe start where the shale is known to be thickest? Thinner shale later?
Drilling does not even have to be in the Marcellus to hold most leases in a unit. If a shallow well is drilled, will that suffice to hold the unit?
Come back in a few years when the gas is finally needed in a program and then drill.
Lessees want to get land under control while it is cheap
Check Internet for Barnett Shale to find out What Texans pay Texans for shale leases -- and the Marcellus shale is superior to the Barnett as an investment.
Is it possible to get a number of landowners to wait together? Probably not.
Structures immediately above and below the Marcellus Shale could turn out to be just as valuable.
What is the best leasing strategy to get the most for the Lessor? The most Bonus [particularly if aggressive drilling is not contemplated] and the most royalty? What strata should be included in the lease?