Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason on December 12, 2012 at 2:43pm

Thanks, Jon! I called but the only meeting is from 1-3. Have to work.
But they did tell me they'll be having another meeting January 28th. Hookstown meeting from 1-3.
Darlington at 6-8.
Penn State office said to follow the paper 1-2 weeks prior for details.

Great news for the county! Bring on the midstream!

Permalink Reply by Jon Laughner on December 13, 2012 at 3:21am

Thanks Jason. Yes, the Extension program is on for the afternoon of Dec. 13, and two more planned for January 28, 2013. One in Hookstown (afternoon, 1-3:00 PM) and the other in Darlington (evening, 6:30-8:30PM)

DAS says this new seismic study will cover the southern half of Beaver County and dip into a bit of Allegheny Co.

 

I've attached a document developed by the Centre Co. (PA) Natural Gas Task Force. They list in this the things they thought were most important for a landowner to consider before signing a seismic lease. Lots of good stuff itemized. The important thing: don't hesitate to tell the landman, lease agent, your concerns and desires for what the seismic lease says. My experience has been that they can be fairly accomadating .

The only thing that counts: what the lease says in black and white, not what is discussed over the dinner table. Like everything, some companies are better than others, so to protect yourself and your property, get it in writing.

 

Attachments:

• MS Seismic Considerations Guide 5-8-12.pdf, 23 KB

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on December 13, 2012 at 3:45am

Jon,

Do you have a phone number for the DAS office in Rochester.  I tried calling their office in Katy and they were unaware of a new one coming to the area. The only one that the receptionist was aware of was in New Castle.

Permalink Reply by mkf on December 13, 2012 at 11:40pm

What's a seismic lease?  This is the first I've heard of it.

Permalink Reply by Jon Laughner on December 14, 2012 at 1:26am

Sure, in short a 3D seismic study covers a large area of land (thousands of acres) with a grid pattern of small explosive charges set about 20' deep and a series of geophones that will record the sound waves as they bounce off the rock layers thousands of feet below. This information is crunched to give an underground look of the geological layers, their thickness and faults. This is used by E&P companies to better able them to design a drilling scenario for a unit of land. Seismic information should yeild data that will improve hydrocarbon extraction benefiting the company and the royalty owner. There is generally a $5.00/acre payment (consider it an inconvience fee - people will be tramping around your property drilling holes, laying cable) to the property owner and a legal contract that you will want to negotiate - don't sign the first version received in the mail. The contract will also provide for damages to be paid if crops are lost, ruts, etc.

A 2D seismic study (less information gathered than a 3D) is often done from public access areas, typically going down a road. Vibroses trucks, or genericlly referred to as "thumper trucks", travel down a predetermined path, lower large pads to the ground, exert pressure from the weight of the truck, vibrate, and record the same sound waves for analyzation. Usually they will not be on your property so no lease required. Often times these are done in conjunction.

DAS will be doing a 3D in Beaver Co.

 

 

Permalink Reply by lennie c miller on December 14, 2012 at 3:26pm

Just to let you know they are pounding Raccoon Twp property owners as you speak. Also Range Resouces Landman is in Raccoon signing up leases offering 17% and 1000.00 per acre.

Permalink Reply by Gary on December 15, 2012 at 2:27pm

A friend of mine in Green Twp was contacted about seismic on his property..details to follow.

Permalink Reply by Frank Nesmith on December 17, 2012 at 11:37am

1000.00 acre..... not worth it... wait for gas to go up.

Permalink Reply by craig on December 17, 2012 at 1:41pm

Not to hijack the thread, but......Agreed, the companies are looking at this as a long term investment..... landowners tend to be short sighted and only think about the short term.

Permalink Reply by lennie c miller on December 18, 2012 at 5:11pm

Here is the name of the seismic co, working Beaver County. Seitel  address 10 Industrail Park Road Monaca, Pa This company is working independ from the gas companies, They are offering 5.00 per arce to do there testing. They will sell the results to the gas companies. They do work for DAS.