O.K. I have been viewing post on this forum and decided to join up.

I appreciate everyones input on this board and see a lot of folks "really get it".

I happen to own 150 odd acres in Washington County, Ohio, my property borders on 2 sides with "Wayne National Foresrt" and a state highway on the front. I have been approached by 2 different companies and a 3rd called "Wishgard LLC". After recieving contracts from all three about leasing, it comes down to terms, the lease money is all the same and so are the royalties. In the 2 "private leases" it leaves a lot to interpetation of after the drilling process and reclamation  and all have the same 120 day to pay clause.

I have done the math on the royalties based on the national figures and going rates at the well head, the number is quite significant, based on a 640 acre tract. by my numbers it comes out to 12.8 percent of the total royalties on the 640.

Now the questions:

1. Since my property boarders a national park will that help or hinder getting to the magic 640 number?

2. Would it be better to go with the comany or the wishgard people? (I know all they do is broker land) but even the companies are offering the same lease amounts and royalties.

3. There are "closed wells" on the national forest property, will this affect the dealings with them?

4. Finally, the wishgard people have a "no shut" in clause Or "Daily rental" clause, where as the others have these clauses, I have not talked to the companies about omitting these but my attorney (Oil and Gas)seems to think they are "non negotiable" points. 

My family has owned wells in the past but mostly verticle wells that we aquired back in the 40's and 50's which have been handed down to the point that I recieve only about .003 or .004 percent, so I have never had to negotiate a new lease.

Any help would be great.

Thanks a lot!

Mike.