Drillers

Study Reveals Ohio Law Favors Gas Drillers Over Landowner Rights in Shale Leasing Deals

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the expansive fields of Ohio, where shale reservoirs hold lucrative natural gas deposits, landowners find themselves facing a pressing dilemma. Ohio’s unique legal framework empowers gas drilling companies to compel property owners to enter into lease agreements, even when they are reluctant or outright opposed. This legal mechanism, known as “unitization,” is increasingly under scrutiny for its impact on individual property rights. “Unitization” laws were designed to streamline the extraction process and minimize the environmental footprint by allowing a single operator to extract resources across a unified area, even if it … Read more

Landowners Appeal Ohio Jury’s Decision in Long-Running Royalty Case Against Drillers

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Columbus, Ohio – A lengthy and contentious royalty case reached its conclusion in March, as an Ohio jury delivered its verdict after nearly four years of legal proceedings and countless filings from both sides. The case revolved around the absence of the words “Point Pleasant” in a lease agreement, resulting in drillers – including Ascent Resources, Gulfport Energy, and Rice Energy – gaining the upper hand over the rights owner, TERA II, LLC. Despite the lease not explicitly allowing drilling into the Point Pleasant formation, which lies on the border of the Utica shale formation, … Read more