Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on May 5, 2010 at 9:33

I like the guns...an arsenal to make Charlton Heston blush

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on May 5, 2010 at 9:44

Kieth, down here Mike's "arsenal" is a modest number of firearms. LOL! Of course most of those gun owners I know don't keep them lying all over the house. Most are in a safe with one or more stashed in selected locations where they are, shall we say, handy. LOL! It is obvious that Mike is a hunter, not a collector. His guns are his tools so to speak. As with many of us.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by reallyoldguy on May 5, 2010 at 16:11

Mike Smith for President!!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abbott Jordan on May 5, 2010 at 8:44

After carefully saving and investing for 37 years of our careers, the proceeds from our lease was just enough to allow us to retire earlier than planned in comfort and security. If we don't get another penny, we are grateful for this as it allows us freedom to invest our time and talents not only with ourselves and our family, but also to benefit the lives of others. Was able to increase our church and charitable contributions and have been able to travel as much as we want. We continue to live our modest and frugal lifestyle. We are debt free and free in our spirits. We are grateful.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on May 5, 2010 at 9:28

It'd be interesting to hear from local pastors regarding increased tithes.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cyhaynes on May 5, 2010 at 9:16

It has been great learning about the Haynesville Shale the last couple of years. We leased our land before we had heard of the shale, but did recently get a well drilled and it seems to be ok. Nothing will change us, but hopefully we will be able to retire completely now. I retired as a teacher a few years ago, but work doing ed consulting and my husband is still working. The land under producation was inherited many years ago and is very special to us. I always told my husband there was something "down there"...he would always laugh and say, "oh, no...nothing there...we are planting trees...you can always count on trees." We don't know much about the money involved in a well, but hope to find out soon! It will mean a lot to our kids and grandchildren to have financial stability and some savings built up. Things are so unpredictible for young people today. I don't know if they will be able to build wealth like our generation. It has been great watching the drilling process and learning about pipelines, etc. We live in Haynesville and feel a connection to oil and gas since our little town was settled as an "oil boom" town many years ago. It is still a big part of our economy. We would love to be able to build a cabin on our land by the lake now or at least an rv pad. Still not quitting our day jobs though...we have learned how quickly things can change! Hoping to get a "check" soon...we will see! Thanks gohaynesvilleshale.com for the great site to read and share....good luck to all those landowners that are hoping for a well soon!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on May 5, 2010 at 9:32

oil runs deep in NW Louisiana...I sat through several meetings where the landowners knew more about the biz than the "expert" because of their background!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank Coday on May 5, 2010 at 14:56

A feel good story. In July 08 ,a 87 year old friend called about a big screen TV purchase wanting advise. During talk, I asked him what he thought about the leasing activity of minerals/Haynesville in Sabine Co. He had no knowledge of anything going on. Asked if he had min. int., said he sold family land 10 yrs. ago & kept 50% int.. Didn't have deed. Told him what was going on @ $ 5,000/ac. with one co.. At time,health was failing ,both he and wife and worried about medical expenses. Went to co. clerk's office, found deed, ran it back to mid 1800's, gave him copy of deed, told him where leasing office was , and the next day he went in & came out with a $ 180,000.00 draft which later paid. Not a fortune, but believe me it meant a lot to them then and continues today for a good hard working couple that contributed a lot to our soceity in their time. Thank you, Haynesville!!!!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on May 6, 2010 at 1:33

The vigilance of a friend - what is more valuable!?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by adubu on May 5, 2010 at 15:33

Keith-----Thanks for letting us EAST TEXANS to have a place on your site.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on May 6, 2010 at 1:31

Texans make up half this site ----literally

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on May 7, 2010 at 4:17

This was written by my mother-in-law. She was raised in Converse and later moved to NJ after she and her husband bought a county newspaper. Art Hall has been the publisher of the Cape May County Herald for about 30 years.

A Personal View of Energy Politics
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/55930-personal+view+ener...

As I was driving from New Jersey to our family farm in Louisiana, I could tell I was getting close to home by the familiar landmarks of abandoned oil wells and new natural gas sites. Right away I must disclose that I come from a family with a very close association with the energy industry. My many uncles and cousins have always worn "coveralls" that proudly displayed the Halliburton emblem on the left pocket or if not Halliburton some other oil drilling firm.

Living in La., through the years there were many rumors of a big oil strike "just over on the next farm" which would of course promote dreams of a similar strike on our adjacent acres. Needless to say the rumors never turned into "black gold" for our family; chickens and cattle remained the money crop for many years.

Now fast forward to another generation and the rumors have been flying for a little over a year about money to be made by leasing to natural gas companies. Natural gas has always been a known commodity but there wasn't the technology or demand to make it feasible to drill for it. With the "energy crisis" being one of the uppermost political issues, the technology and demand have come together and one could almost say the "perfect storm" has been created.

Many farmers, school teachers, weekend hunters and absentee landowners are now being approached by the big companies like Chesapeake and Petrohawk to sign over permission to drill for gas. Our children fit into the absentee landowners category and yes, after many years of rumors they have signed a lease.

While it certainly doesn't make any of them rich with a four-way split, the money is a Godsend for our daughter-in-law as she makes a new life for herself and the children. A move, a house and a more useful car, rather than a farm truck, school for a new career, braces for the children are all included in her plans for using the money.

For two of our children there are huge school loans to be paid off and further schooling made possible, plus a longed-for adoption of a little brother to Emma. There are old cars to be repaired or replaced, and at least one hardwood floor to be laid.
Our son is just recently married and welcomes the money to set up his home and family.

Can you see what is happening? Local merchants are making sales; banks are receiving money in new savings accounts. Neighbors are getting jobs. Before the lease money is even being spent almost half of it goes into federal and state taxes. Those dollars are circulating on American soil and Americans are reaping the benefits of a clean energy. Natural gas heats many homes, powers many industries and makes a good fuel for vehicles. With such a win-win for all concerned, I have to wonder why we would rather send those bonuses to Iran, Venezuela, Russia or any other Middle Eastern country. For me it seems like it ought to be a family affair, Americans using what we have under our own back yards and sharing that wealth with one another.

PATRICIA HALL

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page