Experienced Pennsylvania Gas Lease Attorney Representing Landowners — Never Gas Companies
For more than 18 years, I have dedicated my legal career to representing oil, gas, and mineral rights owners across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I have never represented a gas company.
I have never represented a pipeline company.
And I never will.
My practice is devoted solely to protecting Pennsylvania landowners.
That singular focus matters.
When a landowner hires an attorney to negotiate a Marcellus or Utica Shale gas lease, pipeline right-of-way agreement, surface use agreement, roadway agreement, well pad agreement, or storage contract, there should never be any divided loyalties, hidden incentives, or percentage-based motivations. My only duty is to maximize the legal and financial protections for the landowner.
18+ Years Representing Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Landowners
Since the early days of the Marcellus Shale development, I have represented landowners in virtually every major gas-producing region in Pennsylvania, including:
- Armstrong County
- Washington County
- Allegheny County
- Beaver County
- Greene County
- Butler County
- Susquehanna County
- Bradford County
- Tioga County
- Potter County
- Lycoming County
- Clinton County
- Westmoreland County
- Fayette County
- Indiana County
- Sullivan County
- Mercer County
- Clarion County
- Somerset County
- And other producing counties across the Commonwealth
Pennsylvania is one of the top natural gas producing states in the nation, and the complexity of lease terms, royalty calculations, post-production deductions, and pipeline infrastructure agreements has grown significantly over the past decade. Experience matters now more than ever.
Landowners need representation from someone who understands:
- Marcellus and Utica Shale leasing practices and markets
- Horizontal drilling and multi-unit development
- Royalty calculation language and how to avoid disputes
- Affiliated sales pricing structures
- Gathering and compression deductions
- Regional and local development potential and obstacles and geological issues
- Leasing competition and how to develop competition for your lease
- Pipeline infrastructure expansion
- Complex pooling and unitization issues
- Gas Lease loopholes designed to hold non-producing gas leases
That experience cannot be improvised. It must be built over time, through direct negotiation and litigation experience on behalf of landowners. In fact, I have engaged in multiple lawsuits against gas and pipeline companies and most recently obtained a seven-million dollar ($7,000,000.00) final judgement from the United States Supreme Court in 2025 for improper royalty payments on behalf of Pennsylvania royalty owners.
Maximizing Per-Acre Bonus Payments and Royalty Percentages
Every oil and gas lease begins with two headline numbers:
- The per-acre signing bonus
- The royalty percentage
But sophisticated and non-conflicted representation does not stop at the bonus and percentage.
I have successfully negotiated lease terms that:
- Increase per-acre bonus payments
- Increase royalty percentages far above statutory minimums
- Eliminate surface activities
- Require full unitization or release of acre or termination of lease
- Improve shut-in terms
- Strengthen depth severance protections
- Limit lease extensions and perpetual holding language
- AND so much more
However, the most important financial term in any gas lease is not the stated royalty percentage — it is how that royalty is calculated. My involvement as class counsel and experience in class action royalty lawsuits has given me detailed insights into how to maximize royalty calculation language and eliminate gas company loopholes that secretly allow for future costly deductions from landowner royalty payments. This is not an area for beginners or non-attorney representatives.
Protecting Landowners from Royalty Erosion and Post-Production Deductions
Many gas leases allow companies to reduce royalties through:
- Gathering deductions
- Compression deductions
- Processing deductions
- Transportation costs
- Marketing fees
- Fuel retainage
- Affiliate transfer pricing, and more
If these provisions are not carefully negotiated, a landowner may receive significantly less than expected even when production volumes are strong.
A major focus of my representation is negotiating royalty clauses designed to:
- Reduce or eliminate post-production deductions
- Prevent price and deduction manipulation through complex affiliated sales
- Require fair market value pricing protections
- Limit below-market affiliate transfers
- Increase transparency in royalty reporting
In many cases, I have negotiated royalty language that materially improves long-term royalty returns, often resulting in hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in additional lifetime income to the landowner. This is not an area where you want your percentage based “representative” to be motivated solely on maximizing your one-time per acre bonus payment to maximize the representative’s fee. It is only you who loses in the end.
Over time, those improvements compound and mistakes are continuously devastating.
Pipeline Right-of-Way Agreements and Infrastructure Compensation
My representation does not end at gas lease negotiations. I am here for my clients throughout all issues related to gas development. Please review our testimonials. Our clients are family to us, and we are unbelievably fortunate to have the opportunity to work for such great people.
Modern natural gas development involves extensive infrastructure, including:
- Gathering pipelines
- Transmission pipelines
- Water pipelines
- Above-ground water lines
- Below-ground gas lines
- Compressor stations
- Meter stations
- Storage fields
- Water withdrawal facilities and more
I have negotiated right-of-way agreements that maximize:
- Per-linear-foot payments
- Per-acre easement compensation
- Temporary workspace damages
- Crop and timber damages
- Surface restoration requirements
- Future expansion restrictions and much more
In numerous cases, I have negotiated well pad and surface use compensation in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for landowners where site development required significant acreage use and long-term surface impact.
Pipeline and infrastructure agreements often present greater long-term property impact than the original lease itself. Careful drafting protects both present and future land value.
Well Pad Fees, Surface Use Agreements, and Operational Protections
When a well pad, access road, or compressor station is proposed on private property, landowners face significant permanent impacts.
My negotiations frequently include:
- Substantial well pad use fees
- Surface damage compensation
- Access road limitations
- Timber and crop loss payments
- Soil compaction remediation requirements
- Water testing protections
- Indemnification clauses
- Insurance protections and much more
The goal is not only financial compensation — it is preservation of property value, farm operations, residential enjoyment, and long-term marketability.
No Percentage Fees. No Conflicts. No Divided Loyalty.
Some non-attorney “representatives” have appeared, and our charging percentage-based compensation structures tied to lease bonuses. I find this type of fee structure extremely troubling and terribly unfair to the landowner.
I do not operate that way.
I have never taken percentage fees that could create an incentive structure misaligned with the landowner’s broader interests. I see my clients as people, not dollar signs.
I do not represent both sides.
I do not represent gas companies in other matters.
I do not create conflicts of interest by percentage base representation or in any other manner.
My representation is personal, individualized, and structured solely around advancing the landowner’s long-term financial and legal protection.
When I negotiate, the company knows exactly who I represent — and that my loyalty is undivided.
Born and Raised in Armstrong County – Understanding Pennsylvania Landowners
I was born and raised in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
My father and grandfather were steel workers and farmers. I proudly worked a couple summers in “the mill” during my summers while attending college.
I understand firsthand the value of:
- Private property
- Family farms
- Mineral rights ownership
- Generational land stewardship
For many families, oil, gas and mineral rights are not simply a transaction — they are part of a legacy.
I consider it the highest privilege to represent Pennsylvania landowners in protecting that legacy.
Representation Across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s oil and gas development continues to evolve. Whether you are located in:
- Western Pennsylvania (Washington, Greene, Butler, Armstrong, Westmoreland, Allegheny)
- Northern Pennsylvania (Bradford, Susquehanna, Tioga, Lycoming, Potter)
- Central Pennsylvania
- Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Or anywhere in a producing region
Experienced representation can make a substantial difference in:
- Lease bonus payments
- Royalty revenue
- Infrastructure compensation
- Long-term property protection
Why Experience Matters in Pennsylvania Gas Lease Negotiations
Oil and gas companies negotiate leases daily.
Most landowners negotiate once — perhaps twice — in their lifetime.
An experienced Pennsylvania gas lease attorney understands:
- Standard industry lease forms
- Hidden deduction language
- Affiliate marketing structures
- Midstream contractual relationships
- Storage field implications
- Surface impact valuation
- Pennsylvania case law affecting royalties
This knowledge shifts leverage.
It strengthens bargaining position.
And it materially improves outcomes.
Dedicated Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Landowner Representation
My practice is built around one principle:
Landowners deserve experienced, conflict-free, hardworking, personal representation when negotiating oil and gas agreements.
For more than 18 years, I have devoted my career to that principle.
If you are approached with:
- A new Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale or other gas lease
- A lease amendment or ratification
- A pipeline right-of-way agreement
- A storage agreement
- A surface use agreement
- A water withdrawal contract
- A compressor station proposal
- A royalty dispute
- Or any other oil and gas related contract or issue
You should contact The Clark Law Firm, PC and understand your rights and options before signing.
Contact Doug Clark Today – a Pennsylvania Gas Lease Attorney Focused Exclusively on Landowners
Oil and gas development can create significant opportunity — but best when properly negotiated.
If you are a Pennsylvania landowner seeking experienced, dedicated legal representation in oil and gas matters, contact my office today to discuss your situation.
Every property is different, and every landowner’s negotiation leverage is different.
Every lease is different.
Every negotiation requires individualized attention.
And that is precisely what my practice provides.
