Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve P on October 23, 2017 at 12:19

did you demand an accounting, and cite the applicable provision of the La. Mineral Code, and send the letter certified, return receipt?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on October 23, 2017 at 12:32

I have not reviewed the UMI blog in a few years but suspect that it is still applicable.  I started to excerpt the portion that addresses this particular concern but thought better of it.  Members should read the whole blog and act on the portion that applies to their particular circumstance.  Use this link:

http://gohaynesvilleshale.com/UMI-Basics

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LN on October 24, 2017 at 3:39

Hey Skip, 

I've just printed this information and will read it thoroughly.

Thanks for sharing this with me.

(Legally, can I post a copy of the Demand Letter that I sent to the Oil Company or no)?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LN on October 24, 2017 at 3:37

Hi Steve P,

I didn't know that I was to do those things that you mentioned.  However, I'll get on it pronto!

Thank you so much for helping me.

I'll keep you all up-to-date as to how things turn out.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve P on October 24, 2017 at 7:08

If you don't send the letter certified, return receipt, you have no way of showing that they actually received your letter.  Suggest you demand a response in 30 days.

As always, Skip raises a good point - there is a specific provision in the La. Mineral Code for a "lessor" demanding an accounting from its lessee.  I'm not aware of any such provision for an unleased mineral owner.  The Mineral Code has some built in protections for leased mineral owners.  I'm' not sure that similar provisions protect unleased mineral owners.

But if you wrote a letter demanding an accounting, and sent it certified, your operator would be more likely to pay attention and send a response.

Unless the operator is Chesapeake.  In my experience, your likelihood of a response is diminished with them.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LN on November 27, 2017 at 5:37

I have sent several demand/payout letters by certified mail to the oil & gas company that I am dealing with.  As of yet, they have not replied.  Also, as an unleased land owner, Louisiana law states that the company is to send me notarized quarterly reports via certified mail.  As of yet, they have not sent the production report for July, August, September 2017.  They are also did not send the first nine months of production reports to me, even though SONRIS shows that two of the wells produced huge amounts of gas!

Since I know that the oil & gas companies read these discussions, can someone send a private message to me advising me as to how to handle this matter?

You all have been so helpful to me and I want it known that I truly appreciate it!

My email address is:  mycuprunnethover104@gmail.com.

TIA!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LN on November 27, 2017 at 7:57

Oops...They are also did not send the first nine months of production should read:

They also did not send the first nine months of production.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on November 27, 2017 at 7:59

Your demand would care more weight coming from a recognized O&G attorney/firm.  Preferably one that has previously sued the operator of your unit.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LN on November 27, 2017 at 8:14

Thanks Skip.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Andrew on November 27, 2017 at 11:11

LN,

I sent you an email to the address you provided. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LN on November 27, 2017 at 15:36

Andrew, 

Thanks so much!

• ▶ Reply