Updated July 13, 2026 When a gas company wants to install temporary above-ground water lines across a Pennsylvania landowner’s property, the request may sound simple. The company may explain that the water line is only temporary, that it will be removed after hydraulic fracturing operations, and that the line is needed to transport water to… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Royalty Payments
Pennsylvania Reclamation Issues: What Landowners Should Know After Gas Company Operations
Updated June 22, 2026 When a gas company, pipeline company, or contractor finishes work on a Pennsylvania landowner’s property, the landowner may expect the property to be returned to the condition promised in the lease, addendum, surface use agreement, well pad agreement, roadway agreement, or other written contract. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Reclamation… Read more »
Pennsylvania Roadway and Access Road Agreements: What Landowners Should Know Before Signing
When a gas company wants to build, improve, or use a road across a Pennsylvania landowner’s property, the company may present a Roadway Agreement, Access Road Agreement, Roadway Easement Agreement, Temporary Road Agreement, or similar document. The agreement may sound simple. The landman may explain that the company only needs a road to reach a… Read more »
What Pennsylvania Landowners Should Know Before Signing a Surface Use Agreement
When a gas company wants to use the surface of a Pennsylvania landowner’s property, the company may present a document called a Surface Use Agreement. This agreement may involve a well pad, access road, water line, pipeline, impoundment, above-ground facility, meter station, valve site, staging area, or other surface operation. In many cases, the surface… Read more »
What Pennsylvania Landowners Should Know About Unit Declarations, Unitization, and Pooled Acreage
Many Pennsylvania landowners sign oil and gas leases without fully understanding one of the most important concepts in modern shale development: Unitization and pooled acreage. Years later, the landowner may suddenly receive: At that point, many landowners realize they are unsure: These issues can have enormous financial and legal consequences. What Is Unitization or Pooling?… Read more »
PUGH Clauses in Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Leases: How to Prevent Companies from Holding Your Entire Property
One of the most important—and most overlooked—provisions in a Pennsylvania oil and gas lease is the PUGH clause. Without it, a gas company can drill a single well on a small portion of your property and use that well to hold your entire acreage under lease indefinitely, even if the vast majority of your land… Read more »
What Pennsylvania Landowners Must Know Before Signing a Natural Gas Lease in 2026
For many Pennsylvania landowners, receiving an offer to lease oil and gas rights can be both exciting and overwhelming. With the continued development of the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, landowners across Pennsylvania are frequently approached by landmen representing natural gas companies seeking to secure drilling rights. While these offers may appear straightforward, the reality… Read more »
Why Many Pennsylvania Landowners Receive Lower Gas Royalty Payments Than Expected
For many Pennsylvania landowners, the first royalty check from a natural gas well is a moment of anticipation. After signing a lease—often years earlier—landowners expect to finally see meaningful financial returns from the development of their property. However, a common experience across the Commonwealth is disappointment. Many landowners find that their royalty payments are significantly… Read more »
Why a Pugh Clause Is Critical in a 5-Year Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Lease with a 5-Year Extension Option
Preventing Partial Unitization from Holding Your Entire Property Without Additional Compensation When a natural gas company presents a lease offering: many landowners focus primarily on bonus dollars and royalty percentages. However, one of the most financially significant protections in that lease is the Pugh clause. Without a properly negotiated Pugh clause, a company can unitize… Read more »
Is an 8% Contingency Fee on an Oil and Gas Lease Bonus Fair to Pennsylvania Landowners?
Pennsylvania landowners negotiating oil and gas leases are increasingly being approached by third-party “landowner representation” groups offering to negotiate leases in exchange for a percentage of the per-acre bonus payment, often 8%. At first glance, this arrangement may sound reasonable, or even attractive. After all, who would not want professional help negotiating against a sophisticated… Read more »
