Replies to This Discussion

Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on August 5, 2025 at 12:16

Please understand how the timing of leasing works.   First this area getting new lease offers is at this point strictly an Aethon play so there is no competition for leases.  Aethon already operates a good number of Haynesville Shale wells in the township 15N-8W.  Hunter Energy, a land company, is leasing on behalf of Aethon.  Aethon will need to lease enough acreage by section to then applied to the state to form drilling and production units for the Haynesville formation.  All this will take some time so the initial lease offer will be low for most mineral owners.  The initial leases I have had reported are for a three sixteenth royalty.  That is low by Haynesville standards.  For anyone with meaningful acreage, a quarter royalty should be standard.  How much you own and where it is located in the section will determine your ability to negotiate better lease terms.  I always suggest a "no surface use" clause for all land owners.  That doesn't foreclose the possibility of using your surface but it does put you in position to negotiate the price per acre to be paid and where roads, rights-of-ways and pad sites will be located.  Everyone should be letting  others know what is going on and the best money that a mineral owner can spend is on an experienced O&G attorney to review and amend any lease you plan to execute.  Not just any attorney will do.

Permalink Reply by Kepler on June 9, 2026 at 15:02

I have 80 acres in Section 10 15N-8R and received a verbal offer for $1500/acre with 1/5 royalty from Aethon.  I'd rather have 1/4. What kind of activity is happening in this area between Jamestown and Castor?

Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on June 9, 2026 at 16:21

Aethon no longer exists.  Those Haynesville assets were acquired by Adamas Energy.  Interesting that the offer came from Aethon.  Adamas operates the two wells drilled by Aethon in 15N-8W, Sections 1 and 6.  I would trade some of the bonus for a better royalty.  Ask for a quarter but be willing to settle for nine-fortieths (22.5%) or take the one fifth with a no cost royalty.  That is based on your 80 acres.  Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Kepler on June 10, 2026 at 0:53

Thanks Skip - He specifically said Aethon out of Dallas but I see now that Aethon became Adamas. I'll see what it says when I get the lease to study.

Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on June 10, 2026 at 0:57

Thanks.  Anything you can share may help other members.

Permalink Reply by Kepler on August 4, 2026 at 10:39

Just to update on this.  The first landman that approached with the offer above ($1500/acre with 1/5 royalty) never followed through with a lease that I could review.  About 1 month ago a different landman representing Willow Creek Energy called offering $750/acre and 3/16.  I said that I had a higher offer at the time.  He knew that others had also been approached by the previous guy representing Adamas.  The Willow Creek guy came back 2 weeks later with an offer for $1500/acre and 1/5 cost bearing royalty. I asked for a 1/4 but he said that would be a no-go but he would go back and ask for 22.5%.  Another 2 weeks went by and he just called to say he had to stay at $1500 and 1/5.  I asked if for that to be a no-cost royalty and he said he would ask but in the interim would send me a lease to review.  I don't have that yet.  He did say I could wait to see how much acreage they accumulate and I might have a better bargaining position. He said the goal is to operate and not just accumulate to repackage.

Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on August 4, 2026 at 10:49

Thanks for the update.  I wonder if Willow Creek has filed any memorandums of lease in Bienville.

landownerPermalink Reply by Dale Walton on August 5, 2026 at 2:00

15N 8W has ONE Haynesville well in the entire township and it is in Section 6 almost in 15N 9W.  If Aethon, or anyone else, is trying to push the limits of the Haynesville east beyond the previous barrier it would be advisable to wait to lease if you can.  Better terms will come if the area is economic.  If you need the bonus money, then go ahead and lease at the best terms an attorney can get you.  As Skip says, use one in Shreveport from a good landowner firm.  This township is far from proven to be productive for anything other than Hosston so far.  

Permalink Reply by Kepler on August 7, 2026 at 10:18

I'm in no rush and will be patient.  I knew this was pretty far east so will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Permalink Reply by Linda on August 4, 2026 at 9:51

I own 80 acres T16N-R8W...anyone getting offers to sell or lease in Bienville Parish

Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on August 4, 2026 at 9:54

What section, Linda?  Specific location is important.

Permalink Reply by Linda on August 4, 2026 at 10:01

Section 4 and 9

thanks

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