Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by FXEF on March 13, 2010 at 6:42

Rodney,

The seismic crew drills a hole from 60 to 80 feet and then drops a charge in the hole. The setting off the charge causes vibrations that can be read with seismic instruments. A larger charge causes more vibration, therefore deeper readings. The O&G companies uses this seismic data to decide where and how deep to drill. The Haynes Shale is found between 10,000 and 14,0000 feet.

Permalink Reply by Rodney Anderson on March 13, 2010 at 15:59

Are there any wells deeper than the Haynesville Shale in East Texas and if so what kind of production do they have?

Permalink Reply by Etola on March 14, 2010 at 3:45

Is the seismic permit negotiable like the O&G lease or is it a set amount per acre for every landowner? I got letters from a company wanting to do seimic surveys on our properties for $20 an acre. The person I talked to about it said I had no choice but to let them do it. I asked him if the company that had my lease requested it but I got the idea that they hadn't but his company was going to do the survey and then sell the data to the O&G company that owned my lease. He said they were doing a 1500 acre block which includes all my family land. We have pine trees planted on some of the locations they want to survey. Years ago, a seismic survey was done, and they destroyed more trees than was necessary and I feel did not give us adequate compensation for them. I don't want that to happen again. What rights as landowners do we have? He also said they would drill 80 ft down for the charge holes.

Permalink Reply by jffree1 on March 14, 2010 at 3:58

You can negotiate damages to your growing timber and other surface damages. You can also ask for a per hole price for any shot holes drilled on your property in addition to the per acre offer. And you are under no obligation to agree to seismic if you don't have a lease yet or if the survey is not commissioned by your lessee. I suggest you talk to your attorney and a reputable forestry consultant. They are best qualified to advise you.

Permalink Reply by adubu on March 14, 2010 at 5:37

jffreel--what market rate paid/hole price in addition to per acre for seismic? Is surface damage settled after the fact that damage occurred?