I need information on a fair payment for a gas line easement through our property to carry gas from two proposed wells on our neighbors property. I am in West Texas and this easement will not have a great deal of effect on our land because it will be against an established fence line on our ranch property. I want to be cooperative because our neighbors cannot make their oil and gas else if the gas line does to go through our property.
There is no reason that you should not be paid as much as possible for a gas pipeline by the oil company. Your surface is not a charity. Many surface owners use the pipeline rates set out in Rate and Damage schedule available on University Lands System website. The terms of written ROW matter. Expect a higher rate for a single payment, as opposed to being paid every 10 years. Do not agree to a permanent ROW, but it should terminate upon cessation of use. The oil company or pipeline company should replace fences, close gates, reseed the soil etc. There is a good paper about negotiating a pipeline ROW on Texas A&M extension website. Rates vary with size of pipeline and number of lines and county and location in a county. Some of these companies will drive all over your surface unless you limit access to the ROW easement. You should research and get representation if this is a long distance. Consider posting your question on this forum under the county where your surface is located.
I concur with TennisDaze. You need to get representation by a ROW specialist attorney. The first draft of a lease like that will likely not be in your favor and you want to protect your surface and your rights as much as possible.
Thank you so much for your input. I have looked at both the sources you listed and gathered very helpful information. I am calling to set up a meeting with an oil/gas attorney.
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Thank you for your reply. I was trying to do this on my own, but will meet with an oil/gas attorney before going forward with any lease.
Good, you need specific language depending upon what type of pipeline it will be. Makes a huge difference if it is a gathering line versus inter- or intra-state line, what type of ditch style they use, how long they will use it, recovery and cleanup, etc.
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