It could mean that the well is not so great, but they aren't ready to give up on it. If the leases are running out they may just be shuting it in so they cann keep the leases going by paying rentals.
Jay
Sure I would like to have a look at it. As I suspect, my well (and Karens) is "Shut In" because it is waiting for pipeline?
On another note, I'm unfamiliar with "shut in royalties", assuming that is the check that Karen recieved from XTO. I also assume that market conditions control the construction of the pipeline, no sense building one until the price goes up.