Old lease that a company still thinks they have

I signed and got paid on a lease almost 2 years ago. I recently got a letter in the mail from an O&G company saying that they were unaware that the ownership of the interests had changed. I have owned the land for about 13 years. They say that they have a lease from 47 years ago from their predecessor company and that 44 years ago my acreage was included in a drilling unit of 60 acres. They say that the royalties have previously been paid to Mr X. To my knowledge there isn't a well within 60 acres of my land. They are requesting my ss# because the IRS needs it for persons to whom they pay. They included a W2 form for me to fill out and return, saying if I don't they are required to withhold 28% of their payment. I did try to call the company but they said I could only leave a message on a machine and someone would get back to me. They wouldn't let me talk to a person at that time.

Since I'm almost positive there isn't an existing/producing well, I'm not sure what to do with this. Any advice or ideas are great appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by RO on November 4, 2013 at 7:49pm
I called the ODNR. Inspector called me back today. He said he came by my house today and using the coordinates he said the well would have to be in the middle of the woods. Also, he mentioned there isn't an access road that has been used as such, the possible access road is overgrown. He also believes there is not a well but he didn't go into the woods. He is going to call Enervest tomorrow and inquire about the well.
0i7okn54zwbdoPermalink Reply by 0i7okn54zwbdo on October 30, 2013 at 2:16pm

Call an Ohio O&G attorney.  Spend the money now to get the situation resolved.  Period.

Permalink Reply by RAYMOND bAUMAN on October 30, 2013 at 4:31pm

The well may be from the time period from before the 1970's as well locations were not always where the survey say they are located or it is just a typo in the data base. look up the local ODNR well inspector and have him  try to locate the well.   You can also look at the co engineers old plat maps to match the well name to try to establish the wells age.  the well is probably plugged or on an adjoining property.

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