Expert: Alan H. Coogan Date: 6/25/2008 Subject: gas well
Question On my farm there is an old gas well which the well owner intends to plug and abandon. I am currently using gas from this well to heat my home. Can I prevent the owner from doing this? Do I have a right to buy the well from him? If so, how is the price to be determined?
Answer Dear Joe. The well belongs to the "gas company". It has the right and duty in most states to plug a non-producing well. If you have a right to purchase, it is in the lease, or you --two-- could agree to that now. If you buy, you also buy the duty to plug.
The price is by agreement. There are intangible factors. The tangible ones can be appraised. In most states you would need to have a permit to own a well.
AHC
