Nancy, you are a smart Lady, let me know how successful you are.
DT, I agree, that statement does say one thing in the first half and then reserves the right to do what they want despite, in the second half. When I pointed that out to the landman, his response was first, that he pretended that he didn’t understand what I was talking about, and then he responded with I needed to trust Antero, and that I very good lease and I should be proud of the work I had done, that not many people end up with this kind of lease. To this day, I believe that I worked hard to get the lease I got, and I do believe that our lease is better than many out there, but I am not convinced it is because it is such a “good” lease, but because so many have signed without negotiating at all! I also have some comfort believing that Antero is more honest than Chesapeake when it comes to taking deductions for processing, but that could be merely me being hopeful.
So far, I have not found a permit for our interests, and it has been a year since some of our other family signed their leases and about 9 months for us. There must be some hold outs in our area, so maybe the 5 years will pass and I will have the opportunity to do the lease all over again. I sure hope I can afford that lawyer, if that time comes!
Very true JNK. And Stephanie, I agree that, from what I have read and heard, Antero is better than many about things but that is not saying a whole lot. Having signed a couple of bad leases, and seen many more that my trusting aunt signed over the years, I have learned the lesson of getting legal advice.
I should say that my dealings with actual Antero representatives have gone well, too, all things considered. They made a few sloppy mistakes, but all in all have been good at what they do and have shown that they know more about it than I do–so I would never sign anything or go on record about anything without some legal counsel. After all, Antero has dozens of lawyers advising them what to do and how to do it. I would not dream of entering into any legal contract with that size of company without at least one good set of legal eyes making sure I am protected legally and am not being taken advantage of by means of business practices I am unfamiliar with. They may be honest in the usual business sense of the word, but good business men pride themselves in working the angles in a way that can be inadvertantly harmful to those around them. Just my take. And I am glad people like Ms. Mosley are here to be helpful to others. It genuinely warms my heart when I read her posts here. And I hope things go very well for you, Stephanie.
Thanks, JNK. I agree about your point of view. It’s a wait and see basis now, but I think I’d rather be signed up with Antero than anyone else. Besides the “honesty” factor, I think they know what they are doing as far as drilling and if I ever do get a well on my interests, I think they will make the most of it. Nancy, I appreciate your comments as well, and those of others who post on here. Thanks, everyone!
he responded with I needed to trust Antero,
If that kind of “trust” were the answer for anything, there would be no reason for using contracts, lawyers, or landmen at all. If the history of West Virginia contains one lesson, it is that any business person asking to be trusted never should be. Trust must be earned over time, not granted strangers whose job it is to make sure that local landowners get as little as possible of the value of their surface and mineral rights. And that is, by definition, the job for which company (and most independent) landmen and company lawyers are hired. They are paid to protect Antero’s interests, not yours. Ever. YOU must hire the people whom you expect to protect YOUR interests. And even then, the people you hire should be expected to provide proof of being trustworthy over time before any actual trust is earned by them. That is, sadly, the nature of business dealings in this century. A handshake from a stranger is worth only that, especially when a stranger working for a company falsely claims to be some sort of a go-between or claims to care about the interests of local landowners. If you ain’t payin’ him, he don’t work for you. Ever. It’s hard to remember that when they smile at you and act local. But remember it we must. All of us.
Ditto’s Stephanie, I have negotiated all of my contracts (18) with Antero as I cannot afford an Attorney, so all that I can hope for is that I did my job correctly. I do know one thing -that any income that I receive from Antero is a heck of a lot more than I started out with.
You’re exactly right, DT.
Thanks jnk! I still have a lot to learn but have already learned quite a lot. One thing to remember is that sometimes a company like Antero is competing with a company who is not as easy or good to deal with for leases and even if you sign a lease with Antero your lease might get assigned to a competitor whose practices are not as good for the royalty owner. If your lease is well worded you will be protected even if the lease is assigned.
One thing to mention even if people feel like they are being treated fairly. These companies are not paying the good mineral owners of Wv what they should be. These companies are extracting the same product from our state as in Pa. and Oh. but paying several thousands less in bonuses and 5 to 10 percent less in royalty. Why, because not enough people know what is going on concerning minerals. Some people don’t even know they own any minerals. They were left to them by grandpa or grandma whom passed away years ago. The owner is unaware and living in sunny Florida or even California making a go of it when the phone rings. Everyone knows what goes on after that. The companies are like someone going to a yard sell and buying a 5ct. diamond ring for $2.00 because the person having the yard sale thought it was zirconia. Heck of a comparison huh?
As for leaving my small leases to my to my two children I just inserted my wish into my will. I have never had a problem, just make sure I pay the taxes every year. I cannot afford to pay a lawyer. We used a net lawyer and I’m hoping for the best. I cannot understand why it is so difficult and such a big deal if the heirs pay the yearly taxes. Hope Im right.
Stephanie, remember the post that you sent me concerning the zimka well 47 017-6423, well take a look at 47-17-6202 & 6203, These two wells have been drilled and Fracked, and both are in processing title (again) , so I will let the forum members know if and when I get the division Order. I signed this lease Aug 2009, and have been waiting for something to happen, it was permitted 04-12-2013, so to all out there “PATIENCE” is the word. By the way, I know it was drilled & fracked as I was at the site in Sept 2013, and have talked with other holders since. We are all holding our breath.
Here are links to some documents about leasing, geared to Texas but general enough to help West Virginians:
"HINTS ON NEGOTIATING AN OIL AND GAS LEASE"
http://recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/229.pdf
"CHECKLIST FOR NEGOTIATING AN OIL AND GAS LEASE"
I agree with both of you, and if one can afford an Attorney then go for it, I know that others on this forum cannot afford one, so to them, do as I do and try to get as much info out of other forum members as possible, there are some smart folks on this forum. Like I said in another post, Antero has called me with 18 different leases to sign, imagine paying an Attorney to go over 18 different leases, in my case $$$$ don’t grow on trees.
Arnold, I think that it is truly exciting that you have 18 leases. I am with you, in that I would love to hire a lawyer, but cannot afford it even for the one lease that we have. Thank goodness for the internet and this forum or where would we all be when presented with a lease?
Attempting to get in touch with any mineral rights heirs of parcel ID #3-13-18, 19, 19.1, 19.2,19.3, & p/o 18.1 in Doddridge County, West Virginia that may be on this registered on this forum.
It is Grant District. On the North by lands of T.S. Powell, On the East by lands of John Maxwell, On the South by lands of J.L. Smith, and on the West by lands of R.A. Ball. I sent away for the Map but really don’t know what I am looking for on it. Thanks Lula
Lula, If you can give us the District in Doddridge It would be a great help, Also the tax map.
Arnold
Lula, were these partials leased, When, and with what Company?? Sorry, just need more info from you.
No. Antero wants to lease. First they say we have 16 acres and then the paperwork says 67. There are many heirs supposely. I don’t know how many and Antero isn’t sharing that information. They keep contacting my husband and me and even contacting my married children wanting them to convince my husband to sign a lease. My dealings with Antero has not been a positive one so far. I am not convinced that fracking is a good thing. Regardless, I don’t like the hard ball tactics that Antero keeps throwing.