Hello, new to mineral rights, I inherited a small plot in a group in WV. We initially had Stone Energy but they I guess were taken over by EQT in Wetzle county in august 2017. First two months were not a problem, received the checks without any difficulty on time. In Sept received nothing but my account shows a payment sent out. Waited all month, never came, called several times, they always said it wasn't cashed and much be lost in the mail. They voided the check and say they will reissue it NEXT month which will be Nov. Well now the time has come and gone for Oct check to arrive and its the same thing: they say it was sent out and there are no holds or problems with my account and it must be the post office that is the problem. Well I went to the post office and they say its not them and I receive all my mail as usual and have been for years without difficulty. At this point I don't know what to do. They aren't sending the checks (or the bank they use are not sending the checks) and they tell me there is nothing they can do except to wait and reissue again. Something isn't right with my account but I can't get anyone to look into it any further. All my information is correct in their computers. I know I am ranting but I'm so frustrated dealing with this. I'm ready to sell outright because whats the point if you can't collect anything? Thanks for any information or advice!
Large companies like EQT are bureaucracies. They like to think they are not and that the corporation is superior to the way the government runs things, but believe me they are corporate no good bureaucrats. That being said ...I believe the office in Bridgeport handles the northern WV properties, and I am pretty sure they have a division order department in Bridgeport, WV. In my experience the Division order departments are mostly women and they are the best run departments in these E&P companies...You are probably not speaking to the right people. And, I would not be surprised if the people in charge of this have not even heard about your issues. If you have talked to nothing but men then I will bet you are in the wrong department. Call this number 304-848-0000 and ask for the Division Order Supervisor. EQT in the past year has had quite a number of divestures...and I am sure it has hindered their productivity.
Thank you very much. I actually have talked only to receptionist that are women but seem to only be able to answer the phone and look up check numbers etc on their computers. I was told to keep calling back. Last month when this first happened I sent in the form for direct deposit but was told that takes two months to do. When I talked to the girl today, she saw that all the direct deposit information was in place and was surprised that I didn't receive the direct deposit, even though she was still blaming the post office which would have nothing to do with direct deposit. I will try called the number you gave me to see if I can get someone to help me. The ladies told me there was no other person to talk to. They are not very helpful!
Kim, don't feel like it is a weird situation. Keep pushing hard on EQT. There are others who are having problems with EQT. I flew to their office to do an audit and all they would give me was a schedule without any support at all.
As a third party observer, who has worked for companies that grew to big and thus spread themselves to thin...I hope this doesn't happen to EQT. I think they are at that tipping point though...and they could go the way of an Exxon or the way of well...everyone else.
Thank you for all the responses. They have been very informative. Today I did receive Oct payment in the mail. Hopefully this is all just a fluke with things being late. Going to direct deposit will help this but with the way they operate I am nervous about giving them access to my account. At least I know my bank will help me if there is trouble.
Don't rely on your bank. With direct deposits to depositor has the right to recall money they have deposited. It has happened to me personally. I think with a company in trouble I might still want paper checks as a written record. Just my opinion. Hope things get resolved.
So its a year later and EQT were paying monthly and suddenly payments stopped without any explanation and when I called the lady said she had no idea. I had to put in a request for information from the “land office” which takes 10 business days which has come and gone like two weeks ago with no info or callback. Meanwhile the others in my group also are not receiving anything. So I am wondering if there is a problem with EQT or if they are redoing the contracts for the Stone Energy accounts or who knows. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.