In this episode of All Things Marcellus, Doug discusses The Clark Law Firm’s representation of oil and gas right owners and property owners in Pennsylvania regarding natural gas issues. Attorney Clark explains how he has never represented gas for pipeline companies and how he works and fights for Pennsylvania residents and gas right owners.
Doug goes on a bit of a rant about techniques that the gas and pipeline company landman use in an effort to induce or persuade Pennsylvania property owners to sign bad oil and gas agreements. Doug explains that companies love when large acre property owners or property owners with lawyers sign bad gas agreements. The company then seeks to use the bad agreements and present them to other property owners and explain that the person who signed this agreement had an attorney and you should just simply sign the same agreement and save money by not hiring an attorney. Doug explains that what your neighbor does, or anybody else in your area does, is not necessarily relevant to your case when you were negotiating to maximize money and addendum language in your unique situation. Of course, if there is a higher per acre or per foot rate paid in your area, we want that to be the floor for your compensation and your payment must equal or exceed the amount received by others in your area. However, at no point do we rely solely on what anyone else may have done, because they may have signed a terrible natural gas or pipeline agreement and their lawyer may have been experienced and had little knowledge of Pennsylvania oil and gas law or experience in negotiating complex natural gas contracts. Do not be fooled by a landman working for the company, get your own experience oil and gas lawyer and do not sign anything without consulting and knowledgeable attorney.
All Things Marcellus® GEM 104, KZFM 96.9, KC 101.5 FM, and 1250 AM The Answer
Air Date: February 12, 2017