Unitization and forced pooling are really big issues that unfortunately most people are not thinking about. Right now there is no concept of equity for landowners and I don't think people understand the distinction in owning land and owning oil & gas rights. Issues such as well / property line set backs and whether fracturing might be trespassing as well as compelled pooling and unitization are all important and in my opinion not getting nearly enough discussion. In addition, the current pooling in PA is being done under lease provisions controlled by the gas companies and at this time are almost entirely driven by intent to hold acreage which often little to no regard for the land owner's interest, environmental impact and geology.
I found the comments to this Penn Live piece to be more interesting than the story. Really shows the ignorance of even those citizens most actively involved in understanding gas development and its impact. Particularly upsetting to see people label Terry Engelder an industry hack just for speaking the truth. He is an academic illuminating problems with the current legal framework in PA and indicating a more ideal approach. Unitization and forced pooling are not really land grabs, but may be ways to improve equity in the development that is going to occur anyway while dramatically lessening the impact of that development on the land. You would think environmentally conscious citizens would take to a call for more regulation to protect the public which would create the opportunity to improve individual landowner rights for individuals concerned about surface development.
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