Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Frank Walker on March 11, 2012 at 9:18am

If you have not been drilled, or at least unitized, in ten years, your lease will self-extinguish and you will be permitted to lease your land all over again.

Permalink Reply by John Sorensen on March 11, 2012 at 9:59am

Thank you for the reply. What if the property is in a unit that is drilling? Do they have to re-lease the property?

Permalink Reply by John Sorensen on March 11, 2012 at 3:41pm

Thanks for your help!

Permalink Reply by Ruth Crain on March 12, 2012 at 1:59am

If you are in a unit that Chesapeake has a well or pipeline, you will be locked into the lease which will be automatically extended. It seems Chesapeake is putting wells up on land where leases are expiring. This way they don't have to pay landowners a sign on bonus again. Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Frank Walker on March 12, 2012 at 6:29am

Good post and agreed.

But it's not just Chesapeake doing that.  I acknowledge Chesapeake is the largest operator here in Bradford County.  But a number of other gas companies also operate and have significant presences here.  And they all are doing the same thing you described, called "HBP"  (hold by production).

Permalink Reply by micciandjazz on March 17, 2012 at 1:27pm

So after the Lease expires, they dont have to pay the bonus money again.  So at the 5 year mark, if they have drilled on our land, then they have to renew the lease and pay the bonus money again, right? After the 10 years, does the Royalty rate stayed locked in at the original rate?

Permalink Reply by Wayne Miller on March 18, 2012 at 1:40am

 Once you have been included in a production unit, you are HBP (held by production) for as long as a well in that unit is capable of production. Your lease is locked in to the original numbers for as long as it is capable of production. No more bonus money, only royalities. If no production is occuring due to say no pipe line you will be paid a shut-in royality which is usually $5/acre/year.