AboutLaura M. FitzGerald, CPL Expertise I can answer all questions related to any oil and gas leases, mineral sales, pipeline right-of-ways, LA Dept of Conservation Units; negotiating with landmen for leasing your property, assisting in locating owners of suspended funds.
Experience 26 years in the field and owning my own land services company; being a royalty owner, and participating in drilling wells
Organizations American Association for Professional Landmen, ArkLaTex Assoc. of Professional Landmen, and Dallas Association of Professional Landmen (DAPL), Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
Education/Credentials Certified Professional Landman, attended LSU, Notary Public
Question I own 96 acres surface oil and gas. I signed a lease with Mountain v Oil & Gas
in Wv. When I signed the lease we agreed in writing that we would mutually
agree upon the road ,pipeline and well location. They were to use the existing
road that was there. Instead they cut across the property from an entirely
different direction damaging 4 acres of timber ,drilled the well(where we
agreed upon) and placed the 4 pipeline along side of the new road.We were
never notified of the changes until after they had drilled and left.I have a tape
recording of them agreeing that we had never been notified of the changes
and they agreed that they would move the road and pipeline They now they
want to settle for $41,000
and we would have to either develop the property to get the road and
pipeline moved or they would do it in 5 years. I feel they are in the wrong
and why should I have to wait or develop the property when they have not abided by the lease . Please help
Answer In my opinion, they have breached their agreement with you.
I would suggest you enlist an attorney to handle this for you immediately. Otherwise, this may not be handled as your agreement set out.
There are times during the negotiation process when it evolves to a level that is best handled by an attorney. I believe, this is where you are now.
