CAPLIS-SLIGO ROAD RESIDENTS RECEIVE UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES IN REGARDS TO LEASING MINERAL RIGHTS!!
In 2005 (and prior) my neighbors and I were approached by individuals affiliated with Chesapeake in regards to leasing our mineral rights for $100.00 per acre, etc. At the time, it seemed somewhat acceptable, I guess. It is somewhat strange the telephone number for the individual I dealt with in '05 has ignored my recent phone calls and the voicemail is full.
Now this is an eye-opener, get ready to be shocked.
March 2008; Weeks before we, the residents of N. LA received "breaking news" of the Haynesville Shale, my neighbors and I received checks via certified USPS for $100.00 per acre; note keyword "check" (not draft). Not only myself but many other residents owning property on Caplis Sligo Road accepted this little to nothing amount they offered. We, the residents were uninformed of local gas drilling and findings thus it seemed reasonable-- same amount as our last lease; nothing was thought of it.
We, the property owners in this area are disgusted and feel manipulated by Chesapeake's unethical leasing campaign. It is awful this company believes that the mailing of checks to reinstate your lease was conducted fairly and ethical. Without doubt, they knew they were ripping off people, sadly it was done intentionally on their part. Yet, this company- Chesapeake states they are "Doing the Nation a World of Good" to which is broadcasted all over their website. Now as I drive throughout Shreveport/Bossier, advertisements on billboards from Chesapeake states, " We are for the people." Hmph!
Apparently Chesapeake believed sending a check with a disclaimer printed on it, no additional paperwork included, was going to do our community a world of good. Once checks were deposited, lessor agreed to the prior lease agreements which apply for an additional two years. At this point, I am shocked I didn't receive a letter from their corporate office-- "Thank you for allowing us to deceive you in addition to ripping you off! We appreciate the fact you have a lack of education on mineral leasing... We certainly appreciate your business."
I am unaware if other companies participated in this unethical business practice, let it be known Chesapeake was! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know all the oil and gas companies which were popping up locally (approximently within the last two years) were aware of these "hot-spots" before it was made public in late April & May 2008. Who honestly believes any oil and gas companies would release their findings, making it publicly known within days after their discovery? We all know this event did not "go down" in that fashion, it was kept a secret as long as possible.
I spoke to a CORPORATE LEVEL employee at Chesapeake regarding unethical business practices utilized by "such a caring company." I received poor assistance and no explanation was given on why residents were not informed a month later. Coincidentally, it was made public once the deadline on the checks were dated. I also expressed my thoughts regarding their full intentions on sending out checks to individuals with "cash-by this date or voided" to ensure people would cash them. All in all, they win.
Perhaps they should post the comment their corporate employee stated on their billboards, "If we knew this was going to be as big as it is, we would have leased out to the entire area before other companies could have the opportunity." Hmm.. something like, leased out to people before they were informed of the Haynesville Shale for $100.00/acre! He continued to beat around the bush, informing me they were unaware the Shale in March. Throughout the conversation, it was obvious he felt compassion yet he continued to stand behind this seedy company.
I am now aware of Chesapeake's unacceptable business practices, including but not limited to taking advantage of landowners. It is sad to know that oil and gas companies are practicing unethical behavior to insure they will make millions while ripping off hard working American citizens not only in South Bossier, but the entire country.
I have contacted several attorneys in the area for legal advice, to my surprise they are all somehow affiliated with these manipulative, uncaring, useless oil and gas drilling companies.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE THAT MY NEIGHBORS AND I DID.
EDUCATED YOURSELF ON OIL AND GAS MINERAL LEASING!
JOIN IN WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP! DO NOT SETTLE FOR THE FIRST, SECOND.. NOR TENTH OFFER-- MAKE THEM PAYUP as they deserve to!
Any information on disputing a lease that was accepted by cashing a check would be very helpful and appreciated. Please let me know as I will inform my neighbors. Thank you.
Now this is an eye-opener, get ready to be shocked.
March 2008; Weeks before we, the residents of N. LA received "breaking news" of the Haynesville Shale, my neighbors and I received checks via certified USPS for $100.00 per acre; note keyword "check" (not draft). Not only myself but many other residents owning property on Caplis Sligo Road accepted this little to nothing amount they offered. We, the residents were uninformed of local gas drilling and findings thus it seemed reasonable-- same amount as our last lease; nothing was thought of it.
We, the property owners in this area are disgusted and feel manipulated by Chesapeake's unethical leasing campaign. It is awful this company believes that the mailing of checks to reinstate your lease was conducted fairly and ethical. Without doubt, they knew they were ripping off people, sadly it was done intentionally on their part. Yet, this company- Chesapeake states they are "Doing the Nation a World of Good" to which is broadcasted all over their website. Now as I drive throughout Shreveport/Bossier, advertisements on billboards from Chesapeake states, " We are for the people." Hmph!
Apparently Chesapeake believed sending a check with a disclaimer printed on it, no additional paperwork included, was going to do our community a world of good. Once checks were deposited, lessor agreed to the prior lease agreements which apply for an additional two years. At this point, I am shocked I didn't receive a letter from their corporate office-- "Thank you for allowing us to deceive you in addition to ripping you off! We appreciate the fact you have a lack of education on mineral leasing... We certainly appreciate your business."
I am unaware if other companies participated in this unethical business practice, let it be known Chesapeake was! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know all the oil and gas companies which were popping up locally (approximently within the last two years) were aware of these "hot-spots" before it was made public in late April & May 2008. Who honestly believes any oil and gas companies would release their findings, making it publicly known within days after their discovery? We all know this event did not "go down" in that fashion, it was kept a secret as long as possible.
I spoke to a CORPORATE LEVEL employee at Chesapeake regarding unethical business practices utilized by "such a caring company." I received poor assistance and no explanation was given on why residents were not informed a month later. Coincidentally, it was made public once the deadline on the checks were dated. I also expressed my thoughts regarding their full intentions on sending out checks to individuals with "cash-by this date or voided" to ensure people would cash them. All in all, they win.
Perhaps they should post the comment their corporate employee stated on their billboards, "If we knew this was going to be as big as it is, we would have leased out to the entire area before other companies could have the opportunity." Hmm.. something like, leased out to people before they were informed of the Haynesville Shale for $100.00/acre! He continued to beat around the bush, informing me they were unaware the Shale in March. Throughout the conversation, it was obvious he felt compassion yet he continued to stand behind this seedy company.
I am now aware of Chesapeake's unacceptable business practices, including but not limited to taking advantage of landowners. It is sad to know that oil and gas companies are practicing unethical behavior to insure they will make millions while ripping off hard working American citizens not only in South Bossier, but the entire country.
I have contacted several attorneys in the area for legal advice, to my surprise they are all somehow affiliated with these manipulative, uncaring, useless oil and gas drilling companies.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE THAT MY NEIGHBORS AND I DID.
EDUCATED YOURSELF ON OIL AND GAS MINERAL LEASING!
JOIN IN WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP! DO NOT SETTLE FOR THE FIRST, SECOND.. NOR TENTH OFFER-- MAKE THEM PAYUP as they deserve to!
Any information on disputing a lease that was accepted by cashing a check would be very helpful and appreciated. Please let me know as I will inform my neighbors. Thank you.
Views: 212
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jeannie on
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I heard a local attorney say that they have known about the Haynesville Shale for approx. 8 years. The gas and oil companies are in this to make mega bucks, they are not worried about making anyone else rich.. thats why they keep it quiet..which i think is wrong also.
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Permalink Reply by Taken Advantage 71112 on
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Karma will catch up with these companies. This is simply unacceptable.
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Permalink Reply by Randy on -
Known for 20 years, it just wasn't financially feasible or technologically feasible until the last few years.
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Permalink Reply by P.G. on -
If the o&g folks had no problem treating folks non-ethically in the past, what's in the future for us?
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Permalink Reply by RAY on
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I saw an ad in the classified papers for landmen:
right next to an ad for used car salemen.
go figure.
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Taken Advantage, I'm sorry to hear of you and your friends bad fortune.
I'm in the same boat more or less. Please read my post below. Where do you start when looking for a lawyer that isn't in bed with these companies? Is there one???
Is there any talk of a class action against them?
http://www.gohaynesvilleshale.com/forum/topic/show?id=2117179%3ATop...
Thank you for your time
Ed
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Permalink Reply by John B on
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ed, your case is different if, indeed, your father signed a new lease.
for most of the people in this discussion, your oil company merely exercised an option that you granted them in 2005. how is this unethical?
it's unfortunate for you... i understand that. but it's not unethical.
hopefully, they will drill a well, and you will make boat-loads of money in royalties.
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Permalink Reply by Mom A1 on
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Wow..glad to see I'm not the only one getting the ROYAL run-around. Wish I would have never signed that darn lease to begin with. But...I know without a doubt that I sleep a whole lot better at night than the landmen who may have to toss and turn. In a way I hope that they have trouble looking at themselves in the mirror everyday. When they get a young family to sign a rotten lease or an elderly couple, I hope they can honestly look deep within themselves and say that it is worth it. If that landman has a small, honest bone in his/her body, then chances are good that it eats a hole into their soul. Things do go full circle and they will get theirs. I just hope that I'm there to watch when it happens.
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Permalink Reply by P.G. on
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There was no reason to suspect the landman was some kind of slime that oozed out from behind some rock! Without news of the HS, there was no reason to suspect their offers were out of the norm. The landman's company had been in business since 1982 no complaints that could be found.
This was more like one buying an appliance at Lowes the day before their ad broke with them selling the same appliance 1/2 price!
So are you saying you wouldn't be a bit upset if the salesperson knew the appliance was going on sale that very next day but failed to mention it to you?
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Permalink Reply by Dorcheated A1 on
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native, in all three instances the people were seeking to rent , purchase etc. Did the people seek CHK or did CHK seek the people.
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Permalink Reply by Lee on
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And there will be more O & G company common "unfair but legal" practices to upset people. Ranging from the low bonuses to those who leased early on to the practice of completing a practically non-productive well just to hold the lease (this happened to me) and avoid the new big lease bonuses, to disrupting lives with the countless pipelines that will have to be laid and the noisy compressors that gather the gas, etc., etc.
I'm learning because I now am a surface only owner, minerals only owner, and surface + minerals owner on several small parcels in both LA and TX, plus having been in the Barnett Shale as a supplier. Have made some big mistakes, but thanks to this site and other information, will do better going forward.
NOTHING can substitute for gaining as much knowledge as possible. Remember that many of these same companies have been in the Barnett now for 5+ years, have experience and lots of lawyers, and lease terms are binding, so be informed (3 years ago $100/acre wasn't too shabby).
Having said all that, I'm still very thankful for this bonanza for the Ark-La-Tex and hope everyone can partake in the bounty one way or the other.
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