Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Henry on July 5, 2011 at 12:28

The sonris data seem strange to me.  The surface location is listed as being in Sec 25.  But under the scout info, it seems to say the surface is in Sec 13.  That confuses me.

 

The answer to your question is this:  If you own land in Sec 25, and the rig that is situated in Sec 25 is for draining Sec 24, then that rig should not hold your lease. 

 

And, there is no grace.  If drilling hasn't started, the lease ends at the end of the primary term.

Permalink Reply by Krystal on July 5, 2011 at 12:36

Thank you for the info Henry.  Do you know if anyone is still leasing/releasing in the area.

Permalink Reply by Two Dogs, Pirate on July 5, 2011 at 12:52

I doubt they will let your lease expire but who knows.

Permalink Reply by Krystal on July 6, 2011 at 5:37

It expired July 1st :/

Permalink Reply by ken hatcher on July 6, 2011 at 9:14

Krystal, are you located in the Saline Church Road area?

Permalink Reply by Krystal on July 7, 2011 at 14:05

No my property is back toward 171 from sardis cemetary road on Hwy 483.  I am interested in releasing my property but my initial lease was w/o extension and I'm unaware of whom to contact about leasing.  I know Petrohawk won the production rights to the block.  Does anyone have a contact number for them?

Permalink Reply by ken hatcher on July 7, 2011 at 15:40

Shreveport # 318 987 7586....Tulsa, Ok. #918 499 1379  hope these are still good!  (petrohawk)

Permalink Reply by a on July 6, 2011 at 5:56

The original permit issued was to drill from section 13 south into 24.  There was an amended permit changing the surface location from 13 to 25.  They are drilling north into 24 now.  Thats also why the name was changed from the Wright Family to Meriwether.

Permalink Reply by J B Nabors on July 10, 2011 at 17:53

Ahhh... just a minor correction.  It's just the pedant in me, but ALL lawyers are pedants.   The word "started" may be construed by an oil company's lawyers very loosely indeed.

 

The statement "... If drilling hasn't started, the lease ends at the end of the primary term. ..." may not be correct.   MUCH depends on how the lease is written and worded.  Unless the lease contains a clause which *specifies* that a well must be spudded in to hold the lease beyond the original term without production, it may not be true.  Some scummier ah, "less reputable" oil companies have leases which use terms like "operations for drilling", which might possibly be construed to include such activities as cutting trees, building a road, building a pad, etc.  

 

I think that the rest of your advice is "spot on"!

Permalink Reply by Henry on July 11, 2011 at 3:30

JBN,

So true.  In fact, some leases even require that a rig capable of drilling the entire well be actually drilling to hold the lease.  This prevents the operator from bringing in a smaller rig to drill the first few thousand feet, thus holding the lease, and then waiting many months to bring in the larger rig to complete the well.  My lease has these words:

 

"...commencement of operations” shall be presumed to be the date LESSEE commences actually drilling with rotary drilling tools of a suitable size necessary to reach the objective depth...

Permalink Reply by J B Nabors on July 16, 2011 at 5:29

That is an excellent clause.   I think mine is good, but yours is much better.  

 

Advance Notice: any other lease I sign will include YOUR wording.  My teachers reviled plagiarism, but they aren't grading me now.

Permalink Reply by waltcop on July 16, 2011 at 9:35

Henry,

That looks like an excellent clause to have.....would you send me a PM, dumb me can not seem to get one to send/work on my computer.