Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ajo Hebert on August 3, 2009 at 15:46

Sounds like you wanted something for nothing. Were you forced pooled?

Permalink Reply by Rick on August 4, 2009 at 6:00

No it wasn't a matter of wanting something for nothing I just wasn't ignorant enough to sign an offer for $3000.00 an acre when there were offers of $20-22,000 all around the neighboring sections. The deal to drill was already done regardless of whether I signed or not because there were 2 majority land owners in that section and they had leased 2 1/2 years prior for less than $300 an acre and the lease was running out and Chesapeake bought it from the previous company and drilled before the lease expired. I had no say one way or the other. I received papers saying the section was going to be force pooled and from that point until now I have had no information from Chesapeake at all without sending several certified letters first. I own 100% of my rights and according to state codes I am due 100% of my minerals minus operating cost and I know there are other unleased landowners in various sections that will face the same situation and they weren't necessarily wanting something for nothing either, they like me, were just wanting what the state codes say we are suppose to receive.

Permalink Reply by insomniacnla on August 4, 2009 at 6:07

Hi Rick,

I was wondering how you were doing with the well, thank you for posting your update.

I don't know how to properly calculate the figures but I added up the reported production on Sonris through 5-1-09 and I used the calculation of $4.00 per mcf, the total came up to about $4,443,000.00. It could be that the well has not recouped all of the allowed expenses yet.

Permalink Reply by Cayman Bum on September 15, 2009 at 12:50

Hi Rick, I'm a UMI and was wondering to if you had made any progress yet. Based on the code I've been reading, penalties of a minimum of $25 or a max of $100(30:104)for not responding to the request by UMI in Code 30:10 regarding well info, it is clear the state is protecting the operators. For that matter the operator never even has to notify the UMI that a well has been drilled. In my research I ran across a case you might be interested in Caldwell Lands Inc. v Cedyco Corp., 2007-1515(La.App.3rd Cir.4-2-08,980 So.2d 827. I am just beginning so any advice you can provide or an attorney that is not working for Chesapeake or Petrohawk would be helpful. I have used an attorney that is listed on this website and after thousands of dollars paid to them, only received 1 draft letter that they supposedly sent to the operator with only verbals of the operators response. Due to having no response from the operator i questioned the attorney's suggestion on what to do next, he then said he could not handle our case anymore. So attorney's in Shreveport may not be the answer...or at least some of the highly reccomended one that i had could not even get a written response out of the operator. I am considering hiring an out of state attorney who can also litigate in La. I agree with you that we should not have to hire an attorney if the operators are required to do what Louisiana code and will suffer more penalties than a $100 fine.

Permalink Reply by Rick on September 24, 2009 at 9:23

Cayman bum, thanks for your post. I am proceeding slowly with this and checking out attorneys and probably will talk to a couple of non-O&G attorney friends to see if they can suggest someone, either local or out of state. The amount of money that I would be receiving is not huge and would not really be life changing and I am fortunate enough not to have to have it, but I still will pursue my money and my rights simply because it's mine and they owe it too me.
It is disgusting how little the state offices are helping small landowners but I guess we should expect that by now. I don't know how much land you have but I do strongly recommend to you or any other UMI to be prepared for a long fight, especially if you are dealing with Chesapeake because they have, do and will continue to skirt the useless LA codes as long as they can and I can personally assure you that they will NOT cooperate with you until they absolutely have to. You mentioned some codes that they apparently don't have to do and there are several things in the codes that they have gotten by without having to honor toward me, without even as much as a word of explanation.

Permalink Reply by Henry on September 24, 2009 at 10:24

Rick,
One word of advice... Don't use an out-of-state attorney. Two reasons... he/she won't be up on Louisiana Law. Also, he/she will not know about the way things are in the Haynesville Shale. For example, an out-of-state attorney may not realize all the strides that landowners have made over the last year in asserting their rights. He may not be as aggressive as one who knows what benefits landowners are getting. Many good lawyers have been recommended on this site.

Permalink Reply by E & E on August 4, 2009 at 6:11

AJo,
You seem to have forgotten that it is his minerals.......his gas.
Earlene the barefooted UMO

Permalink Reply by Henry on August 4, 2009 at 9:03

Earlene,
If I ever get my due, I'll buy you a pair of shoes.

Permalink Reply by twomule on August 5, 2009 at 15:04

Ajo
Since you've only been around here for a couple weeks, and the rest of us long enough to know Rick and the circumstances involved, you should really refrain from posting unless you have something of value to offer. Thanks.

Rick! Good to see you back!

Permalink Reply by Bob and Lisa on January 7, 2010 at 12:14

What a ridiculous comment, must be one of those who don't have their mineral rights, or a landman

Permalink Reply by BARBARA'S MA on January 7, 2010 at 15:17

By whom and which comment is ridiculous? My email said simply that you "replied to the discussion" (UNLEASED LANDOWNER IN N. DESOTO PARISH). I am a landowner and do have all mineral and surface rights - not a landman, and was hoping you had info that I, as well as others could use and which pertained to my comment which was the last posted before yours on 1-07-10 afternoon. But if your comment was directed at who I think it was...all interested parties thank you for the support!

Permalink Reply by Bob and Lisa on January 8, 2010 at 4:17

I was replying to AJO, something for nothing comment. I'm not understanding how it can be something for nothing. It's his minerals and his land, so how is it something for nothing?

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