Just read on GMS that a county west of 4-County's borders was encouraging folks to lease shallow rights (depth specific to 2500') for $50/AC.  Yes, oil & gas still exists in shallow layers but realize that "shallow" by itself is a term that includes all of the Devonian , all of the Marcellus.  Hence the need for depth specific #'s. 

 Analogy: You may have a lot of animals in your barn, a lot of trees on your farm, but they are not all worth the same amount of $$.

That doesn't mean $50/AC is close to a fair offering for shallow layers w/the numbers given in the  very first sentence.  REX and other companies have been very successful drilling lucrative shale layers like the Barnett (closer to the surface) which is found throughout most counties in north and central PA and counties west.  The same technology (horizontal drilling) that brought the world's attention to our Marcellus and Utica shales is equally useful in shallower layers ...  equally lucrative ... and easier to access because it IS closer to the surface.  A Group approach to shallow, depth-specific drilling is just as important as it is to Marcellus/Utica agreements.

I don't begrudge REX Energy & others their success in developing layers closer to the surface, their companies are providing jobs, and an economic boost ... both much needed.  But let's strive for the landowners/rights holders catching a break too.

** Check those old leases.  They may be depth specific allowing some who thought they couldn't lease Marcellus/Utica ... eligible!