Apalachin Landowners Group

Helping The World Economy

2011-07-24T07:55:00.002-04:00

There is enough recoverable natural gas in the US that it could help boost the world economy, not just our own. That's what some analysts are saying.

By harvesting the abundant supply of shale gas here at home, it would all but eliminate the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports that have been coming into the US. That would make much more nat gas available for other countries, thereby creating a 'buyer's market'. That means lower energy prices and more disposable income, a winning combination to help revive sputtering economies around the globe.

Dreamers and NIMBYs

2011-07-14T10:37:00.003-04:00

Supporters of natural gas development are occasionally confronted by those who have different ideas in terms of the direction we as a nation (and world) should be going. They are opposed to further oil and natural gas development, citing Wind, Solar, Wave and Geothermal as better solutions to our energy problems. Others also mention plain and simple energy conservation. The fact is, we need all of the above.

Here's the situation. Renewables currently account for only about 10% of our energy supply. By 2020 it is assumed that number will be up to 20%. Even if that does happen, what about the other 80%. It has to come from either oil, gas, coal, or nuclear. This isn't rocket science. And when you look at the environmental impacts of each of those four sources, it is absolutely clear which one is the better energy source. Natural gas.

That is not to say that it will be problem-free. It is an industry and there will be incidents and accidents, the same as in any industry. Those who think there are energy sources that are problem-free are living in some kind of dreamland. How do I know this? Because the Environmentalists have told me so.

There isn't a single energy source that hasn't encountered the protests of Environmentalists ... including the ones they tout as being better alternatives.

Environmentalists are against:

- Oil (drilling, carbon)
- Natural Gas (drilling, fracing, carbon)
- Coal (mining, carbon)
- Corn Ethanol (lost food source, carbon to produce)
- Large Hydro (kills fish, natural habitat disruption)
- Nuclear (disaster threat, nuclear waste)
- Wind (unsightly, kills bird & bats, needs gas backup plants)
- Solar Farms (unsightly, natural habitat disruption)
- Wave (threat to marine life, habitat disruption)
- Geothermal (drilling)

So, let's get this straight ... you don't like oil, gas, coal, ethanol, hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, wave, or geothermal. What else is there? What do you like? Maybe these people should stop screaming about what's wrong with everything if they can't come up with a real, workable, commercially viable energy plan themselves.

The U.S. is currently buying foreign oil, draining a billion dollars a day from our economy! This country is committing financial suicide and they could care less. They are NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard). They would rather see you out of work and the economy crumbling to the ground rather than be exposed to any of the unpleasant aspects or risks of energy production. And yet, they are perfectly willing to use that energy. They're like the guy at the office who's right there to drink the coffee every morning, but never offers to make the coffee, complains about how it tastes, and never puts any money into the coffee fund. It would serve them right to pay a hefty 'nonsupporter surcharge' on any energy that they use.

The next time you hear someone blasting the idea of regenerating the U.S. oil and gas industry, ask them three questions:

1 - What do you put in your gas tank?
2 - How do you heat your home?
3 - What is your plan? (one that isn't from dreamland)

Finally!

2011-07-01T08:39:00.002-04:00

It looks like New York State is finally ready to move forward. The DEC has released a 4 page memo that includes some of the changes and key provisions of their latest SGEIS. It also states that the final 2011 SGEIS will be available July 8 on the DEC website (www.dec.state.ny.us).

Among the statements contained in this release are the following:

- high volume fracturing will be permitted on privately held lands under rigorous and effective controls
- drilling would be prohibited within primary aquifers and within 500 feet of their boundaries
- surface drilling would be prohibited on state-owned land
- high volume fracturing would be prohibited in the NYC and Syracuse watersheds
- approximately 85 percent of the Marcellus would be accessible

In addition, the DEC has hired independent researchers (at taxpayer expense?) to thoroughly research the community and socio-economic impacts

According to DEC Commissioner Martens, "This report strikes the right balance between protecting our environment, watersheds and drinking water and promoting economic development".

The DEC plans for another 60 day public comment period commencing in August. Lord knows, they don't want to move too fast. After all, it's only been three years!

Japan Disaster To Boost Shift To NatGas?

2011-03-23T12:15:00.003-04:00

There are different 'degrees of disaster'. And while the Fukushima nuclear debacle may not be another Chernoble, it most certainly has reasonable people re-examining the wisdom of building more nuclear reactors. Whether you're 'for' or 'against' nuclear power, and whether you believe we can do it safely or not, there's still the question of, "Does it even make financial sense?"

Factoring in the initial costs of building a reactor, the inevitable cost overruns and add-ons, the costs of waging legal battles vs. the anti-nuke crowd, and the security & waste management involved, you wind up with numbers that are mind boggling. And now, after the Japanese incident, who knows what an insurance policy for a nuclear reactor will cost ... that is, if you can even get one.

At a time when nuclear power was seemingly getting a new lease on life, we have once again been reminded that we're no match for the awesome power of Mother Nature, be it earthquake, tsunami, or runaway nuclear reaction. Factor in human error and incompetence and it gets really dicey. Think it can't happen here? A while ago, it was discovered that one of our own nuclear reactors in California (earthquakes?) ran for 18 months with the facility unaware that the power had been shut off to the backup cooling system.

With the Middle East in turmoil, ever-more-costly oil supplies dwindling, nuclear shortcomings highlighted, and renewable energy sources decades away from reality, what are we left with? A huge supply of cheap natural gas right under our feet. And all we have to do is harvest it. What are we (our leaders) waiting for?

Range To Sell More Assets - Will Focus On Marcellus

2011-03-22T14:36:00.005-04:00

Range Resources, the first company to seriously explore the Marcellus Shale, announced that it is going to be selling even more of it's assets to focus on it's investment in the Marcellus. Just this past February, Range agreed to sell off it's Texas holdings for $900 million. Range CEO John Pinkerton was quoted as saying, "We're a relatively small company and we've found probably the largest gas field in the US. We're going to need all the capital we can find."

Pinkerton said that Range can be profitable selling natural gas at $4 per thousand cu. ft. and will sell off it's lower-end assets as needed to fund it's Marcellus development plans. Range plans to spend $1.4 billion this year, $1.4 billion in 2012, and even more in 2013. I guess we know which state isn't going to benefit from those huge investments.

Chevron Ready To Gear Up

2011-03-22T11:14:00.002-04:00

It's been reported that Chevron will drill up to 70 wells in the Marcellus this year. Chevron got into the game when it purchased Atlas Energy in November of 2010. They reportedly paid $9,000 per acre for the huge tracts of land involved. Atlas probably paid landowners anywhere from $100 to $1000 per acre. Someone made a lot of money on this deal.

Marcellus Drillers Saving / Recycling Water

2011-03-22T10:10:00.003-04:00

Oil & Gas companies that perform hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale are typically recycling about two thirds of the water they use. These are the results of a study by Penn State hydrogeologist David Yoxtheimer. "The industry is striving to reuse as much flowback water as possible", Yoxtheimer said.

Many who are opposed to Marcellus development site extreme water demand as a problem. However, statistics clearly show that other industries comsume much more water.

Marcellus Dillers Getting A Bonus

2011-02-10T18:05:00.004-05:00

Range Resources, one of the first oil and gas companies to drill into the Marcellus, has just increased the estimate of their 'Unproven Reserves'. What that means is, they now think that they can get a lot more gas out of the ground than they previously thought. Why do they think that?

First of all, their Marcellus Shale gas wells in PA are producing way better than they had hoped. Secondly, there is more gas in the Upper Devonian Shale (just above the Marcellus) and in the Utica Shale (below the Marcellus). As they learn more about the potential of these other shale formations, it's highly probable that the reserve numbers will increase even more.

The bottom line is, the land and mineral rights above the Marcellus Shale is becoming more and more valuable.

Another Marcellus Joint Venture

2011-02-07T15:10:00.002-05:00

Triana Energy and Marathon Oil will be joining forces in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in a venture to produce natural gas from the Marcellus Shale. They reportedly have access to 82,000 acres in northern West Virginia and Fayette County, PA. They plan to drill 4 wells this year, but it's estimated that the total acreage could support up to 350 horizontal wells.

PA 'Clears The Air'

2011-02-01T21:22:00.003-05:00

One of the many 'trumped up' charges from the Anti-Natural Gas Crowd is that the air pollution (caused by the drilling operations) will cause health problems. To find out for sure, the Pennsylvania DEP conducted a four week study of the air quality around Marcellus Shale drilling operations. The study focused on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well as other potential pollutants that are associated with natural gas well operations. They found no threat to human health in any of their testing.

Oil Majors Moving Into Natural Gas

2011-01-28T12:54:00.002-05:00

ExxonMobil has released it's annual energy forecast and predicts that natural gas will overtake coal as the second-most consumed fuel in the world by the year 2030. Due to (1) future oil shortages and (2) the environmentally unfriendly nature of coal, many of the largest, most successful, oil majors appear to agree with ExxonMobil and are positioning themselves to profit from the expected increased demand for natural gas.

Everywhere But New York

2011-01-27T18:10:00.002-05:00

As the demand for 'fracking' continues to grow, oilfield services companies like Baker Hughes, Haliburton, and Schlumberger are struggling to keep up with the demand. Baker Hughes reportedly earned $335 million in the 4th quarter of 2010, a sharp rise compared to the $85 million they earned for the same period in 2009. This heightened demand for fracking is not just in the U.S. either. It's spreading internationally as more and more countries all over the world hope that their own shale formations will offer them the promise of a home-grown energy supply.

West Virginia's Marcellus Boom

2011-01-27T17:49:00.003-05:00

Pennsylvania's not the only state that's benefitting from the Marcellus Shale. According to a study by West Virginia University's 'Bureau of Business and Economic Research', drilling operations helped pump $2.3 billion into West Viginia's economy in 2009. The report generated by the group also states that Marcellus activity helped generate 7,600 jobs, $298 million in worker pay benefits, and $14.5 million in tax revenues.

Hello? ...... Mr. Cuomo? .......

Governor Paterson Does The Right Thing

2010-12-13T10:21:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Governor David Paterson for vetoing the misguided anti-drilling legislation. It was clearly the right thing to do. By doing so, the Governor has saved the operations of over 300 companies who have been operating safely in New York for decades. Had the legislation been approved, 5000 existing jobs would have disappeared. This is the 'vision' that the down-staters and anti-drillers would bestow upon the working people of New York ... lose more jobs, reduce the tax rolls, and put even more people on unemployment! All because they want to subject the natural gas industry to standards that other industries don't have to adhere to. The anti-drilling crowd wants a 100% guarantee that there will never be any sort of pollution caused by the production of natural gas. Well, if you held other industries to the same standards, you would not have any industry at all.

Rep-elect Reed Seeks Marcellus Caucus

2010-12-07T15:06:00.002-05:00

According to buffalonews.com, newly elected Representative Tom Reed, R-Corning, "plans to pull together like-minded members of Congress to push for fuller development of the natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale." Reed was quoted as saying, "I am a promoter of developing the Marcellus Shale. I believe we can do it responsibly. Now is the time to move forward."

NY State Politicians Show Their Ignorance

2010-12-01T10:08:00.003-05:00

Both the state Senate and Assembly have now passed a temporary moratorium on natural gas drilling. We now wait on Governor David Paterson to decide if he'll sign the legislation. The backers of this legislation have shown through their actions that they are either a) ignorant to the facts involving gas drilling or b) just plain stupid. This bill affects not only future exploration that could add thousands of NEW jobs, but it will affect existing exploration & production that could kill hundreds of EXISTING jobs.

We're not excusing or condoning any action akin to natural gas production that contaminates our earth, air, and water. We simply want to move FORWARD safely (it can and is being done) and in a reasonable time frame. This issue has been 'on our doorstep' for almost THREE YEARS and these clowns are just now deciding to put things on hold so we can 'study' the situation. Why do we even have a Department of Environmental Conservation if politicians don't accept their input? Should we just fire all of the DEC employees? No, in this case 'study' means avoiding a vote that might upset some constituents. As with our state deficit and, in typical political fashion, they're just 'kicking it down the road'.

Chesapeake Opens Training Center in Athens, PA

2010-11-24T21:30:00.002-05:00

Chesapeake Energy recently opened it's 7 million dollar Training and Housing Facility in Athens Township. It will provide a convenient housing option for drill rig workers as well as state-of-the-art training for local job seekers. A large number of local contractors benefitted from the construction of the 11 building complex.

Gas Demand Slowly Rising

2010-11-24T20:45:00.003-05:00

While demand for natural gas dropped off in 2009, it's slowly making a comeback. This is good news. The EIA is projecting that US consumption will increase 4.5% in 2010 with industrial consumption estimated to be up 7.5%. A continually improving economy will create even more demand, thereby helping to 1) reduce the current glut 2) raise the price of gas and 3) get oil & gas companies moving again. Then, all we'll need are state government officials who understand that, when you're 10 billion dollars in debt, you shouldn't be shutting down a developing new industry that could add a billion dollars a year in tax receipts.

Fear Mongers at Work in Pennsylvania

2010-08-21T07:56:00.002-04:00

Despite there never being a documented case of hydro-fracking ever contaminating a drinking water supply, a Pittsburgh politician is trying to swell the ranks of the uninformed anti-drilling community and attempting to ban shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania. Generating fear is a great tool of professional politicians and, if 'played' properly, can help get them elected into office or help them stay in office.

One can't help but wonder why these same politicians aren't outraged and demanding legislation to stop the transportation of all petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, heating oil, crude oil). The amount of fresh water contamination due to accidents involving these products absolutely dwarfs any contamination that has ocurred as a result of natural gas drilling. But then, that might mean they would have to ride a bicycle to their next fund raiser ... held in an unheated room.

Marcellus Is The Place To Be

2010-08-03T13:49:00.002-04:00

Below is an excerpt from a recent article on Forbes.com written by Christopher Helman.

"Engineers at Range Resources discovered the Marcellus gas in 2004, giving Range a two-year head start in scooping up 1.3 million acres of leases. Marcellus' choice spots, 6,000 feet underground, hold 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 20 years of current U.S. demand. "Because the Marcellus is cheap to develop and so close to market, it will make other plays in the South and Midwest uneconomic," says Russell Braziel at gas market forecaster Bentek. "If you want to be in the gas business, you'll have to be in the Marcellus."

Increased Role For Natural Gas

2010-06-25T09:19:00.005-04:00

According to the New York Times, a report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology states that natural gas will increasingly replace coal as a source of this country's energy over the next few decades. According to the report, natural gas will eventually make up 40% of the U.S. energy market, up from its current 20% share.

Some companies that make equipment for coal- and gas-fired generating stations say that the switch to gas from coal has already begun. One reason is that switching to gas will make it easier to meet air quality standards for conventional pollutants, like smog and mercury. Helping to facilitate the change are plentiful supplies of natural gas created by shale drilling.

T.Boone Pickens, the Texas oilman, said that the study paid too much attention to the electricity sector and not enough to using natural gas as a fuel for transportation. “You’ve got plenty of gas to do both,” he said.

The study noted that the only natural gas car sold by a major car company in the United States, the Honda GX, costs an extra $5,500, while the VW Passat TSI Eco-fuel, sold only in Europe, costs only $3,700 extra. Converting a gasoline vehicle to natural gas is also much more expensive here than in Europe, the report said, and it suggests that the reasons be examined.

High-mileage fleet vehicles, like taxis, could be economically converted to natural gas, the study said. But the recent history of natural gas vehicles in the United States suggests that buses and small delivery vehicles are more likely candidates for conversion than the great mass of privately owned vehicles.

Natural gas vehicles emit about three-quarters as much carbon dioxide per mile as gasoline-powered ones. The switch would not have a large impact on carbon — only about a ton per vehicle per year for a typical American car, according to the report.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/business/energy-environment/25natgas.html

Wyoming Tightens Environmental Rules

2010-06-09T09:39:00.001-04:00

According to the Houston Chronicle & The Associated Press (6/8): Energy companies operating in Wyoming will be required to disclose the chemicals they use in a number of drilling techniques, including hydraulic fracturing, under rules approved by the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. "They appear on the surface to be workable," Rick Robitaille, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming's vice president.

More Marcellus Activity

2010-06-01T17:00:00.005-04:00

May 28, 2010 - (Wall Street Journal) Shell agrees to acquire East Resources for $4.7 billion. East Resources is one of the largest companies operating in the Marcellus Shale, and it owns 1.25 million acres across several states. The deal also gives Shell the mineral rights to areas in Texas' Eagle Ford Shale. Analysts say the deal shows a continued interest (by Shell) in producing gas from North American shale.

May 28, 2010 - (Reuters) Penn Virginia purchases 10,000 Marcellus acres for $19.5 million from two private oil and gas companies. The acquired acreage is primarily in the Potter, Somerset and Tioga counties in Pennsylvania. The deal increases Penn Virginia's ownership in the area to about 45,000 net acres, the company said.

S.O.S. GAS RALLY JUNE 9TH

2010-05-30T10:30:00.004-04:00

We are sending out an S.O.S! It is time to SAVE OUR STATE!

This is the last chance before Albany's summer recess and fall ELECTIONS to show our leaders that NYers support gas! It is time to go to Albany again! Only this time landowners, trade Union members, and members of "Unshackle Upstate New York" (representing the business community) will be there in partnership to show leaders that all of NY supports developing natural gas now. But YOU need to be there in solidarity to make this a success!

Previous pro-gas events have been successful but now we need to show our leaders that NYers from all walks of life are united in supporting gas NOW! Every voice counts! Every landowner, worker, and business person is needed! ALL HANDS ON DECK! S.O.S!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9TH 2010 Time arriving in Albany 10am- Departing for home at 2pm

To reserve your FREE bus ticket and more info on pick-up time and location contact:

Annette Gibson 760-3542 or longcreekgibson@yahoo.com

Alta To Sell Lease Holdings In The Marcellus (PA)

2010-05-26T10:09:00.007-04:00

According to the Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires, Alta is reportedly about to sell approximately 42,000 acres in the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale to Williams (WMB) for $501 million. Williams will also purchase a 5% overriding royalty interest on the acreage for $84 million, which will lower its royalty burden. The Pennsylvania acreage represents about 1.2 trillion cu. ft. in potential natural gas reserves. After the deal is complete, Williams will hold about 94,000 acres in the area. Williams said Tuesday, it plans to spend an additional $55 million for drilling and other activities in the region this year, growing to $100 million to $200 million by 2012 as operations expand.

Employment Opportunities In The Gas Drilling Industry

2010-05-19T22:43:00.003-04:00

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Two Sessions: 2:00-3:30 and 6:00-7:30PM
Hubbard Auditorium
56 Main St. Owego, N.Y.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County, and the Tioga Employment Center will present an informational session on employment opportunities in the gas drilling industry.
Information covered will include, companies hiring, the types of jobs available, and how to apply and contact employers.
To register call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County
at 687-4020 Space is Limited

Jobs and Economic Boost

2010-04-12T12:35:00.002-04:00

The Perryman Group, an economic analysis firm based in Waco, estimated in a 2009 study that the Barnett Shale in North Texas will create about 108,000 jobs annually until 2015.

The same study found that in 2008 Barnett Shale activity was responsible for an estimated $13.7 billion in annual output and 132,497 jobs.

Partnerships and Pipelines

2010-04-12T12:16:00.002-04:00

It started in 2008, when Chesapeake sold 32.5 % of its holdings in the Marcellus Shale to Statoil Hydro for $3.375 billion. Since then, there has been increasing interest in partnerships to develop the vast potential of the Marcellus, as the following datelines suggest. Of course, very little of this Marcellus activity is currently geared toward New York State, thanks to the governor’s drawn-out moratorium on horizontal drilling.

4/12/2010 - Source: Reliance to spend $1.7B for Marcellus Shale joint project
3/29/2010 - Statoil pays $253M to purchase more Marcellus Shale assets
3/25/10 - Enbridge seeks to construct pipeline from Marcellus to Chicago
3/22/10 - Chesapeake chief eyes more joint ventures for shale-gas properties
3/16/10 - Penn Virginia Resource to invest in Marcellus Shale pipelines
3/11/10 - EXCO Resources considering venture partners in Marcellus Shale
2/16/10 - Anadarko announces joint venture with Mitsui in Marcellus Shale
12/14/09 - Exxon to buy XTO and Marcellus Shale holdings in $41 billion deal

Exco & IP To Recycle Waste Water

2010-04-02T16:47:00.002-04:00

Many environmentalists worry about where the large amounts of water needed to drill and frac a well will come from. Exco Resources, Inc., an energy company currently drilling in Louisiana, has recently partnered with International Paper to help solve this problem.

International Paper, who has been treating and dumping (legally) an estimated 12 million gallons of treated process water per day into the nearby Red River, will now supply Exco with all the water it needs for the drilling and fracing process. Apparently, a trial run has been completed by Exco and the water proved suitable for it’s new use. An estimated 4.2 billion gallons will be available for Exco, enough to drill and complete 700 wells.

We think there are opportunities of this sort in our own area and ... did you ever notice the Susquehanna River during those spring rains?

Natural Gas In Water Wells

2010-03-21T20:47:00.006-04:00

After some gas wells were drilled in Dimock, PA, natural gas was found in the water wells of a few nearby homes. As usual, the anti-drilling crowd made a major production of it, igniting the water coming out of the kitchen faucets and featuring the story and videos on their anti-drilling web sites. But according to professional WATER WELL drillers, this is nothing new and, in certain geographic locations, it happens even where drilling has NOT occurred.

We recently found an interesting article on the pagaslease.com web site that attributes the following quotes to an article in the Hancock Herald. Below are excerpts from the article.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Local Water Well Driller offers insight into Marcellus shale drilling Process"
2-10-2010 by Sally Zegers

"Francis Tully of Poyntelle, Pa., a well driller for most of his life, weighed in recently on drilling for natural gas in the area, based on what he calls the science of the drilling process. The Tully Drilling Company was started in 1928, by his father, Ben Tully."

" Tully Drilling was a major and well respected business in Wayne County for several decades, serving farmers and small business people across the area. Over the years, according to Francis Tully, the company drilled 10,000 wells across several counties and two states, and he still has the files to prove it."

"He says the phenomenon of "fracture zone seepage" is relatively common in Susquehanna and Wayne Counties and drillers often found natural gas while drilling for water. The internet features several videos of people "flaring" matches at water faucets in Susquehanna County, which is cited as evidence that gas drilling is damaging private water wells. However, drillers fifty years ago often found that they could flare matches at the faucets. According to Francis Tully, near Clifford, in Susquehanna County, "nearly every well in the area" has natural gas."

"According to Francis Tully, the photographs he’s seen of the (water) well that blew up in Dimock, Pa. on New Year’s Day 2009 lead him to believe that the (water) tank itself blew up. He believes the (pressure) switch froze in the on position, and it couldn’t switch off, allowing pressure to build and build until the tank blew apart. "Tanks do blow up," he says, noting that he’s seen it happen many times over the 60 plus years he was in the business. According to him, one tank came up through the floor of a living room, hit the ceiling and ended up on the divan. "

"He believes drilling for natural gas should be "perfectly safe" as long the drillers use three layers of pipe, using surface casing down to 1,000 feet, then drilling 7,600 feet to the Marcellus Shale. Then you case it again and grout it. The level at which water is found is relatively shallow. Drillers will bore through it with boreholes encased in steel and concrete, to protect the water supply, Tully points out. The Marcellus Shale is more than a mile underground. The different levels of rock and shale in the earth are like "pages in a book," he says. He points out that the layers of rock protect the water in the upper level. Fracturing, something water drillers have done for years with dynamite, only fractures the rock close to the well, not the thousands of feet above it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

2010-03-02T21:24:00.006-05:00

Landowner Coalitions: Emerging Opportunities for Grassroots
Organizing Around Natural Gas Leasing
Dryden Fire Hall North Street in Dryden
Saturday, March 13, 2010 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Featuring Nick Schoonover, Chair of the Tioga County Landowners Group. in conjunction with CCE-Tompins.
Come learn about:
What brought the Tioga landowners together initially
How they developed their organization
What services they offer their membership
Click here for the informational flyer

SUPPORT NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION IN NY!

2010-01-04T10:00:00.002-05:00

This is an easy way to show your support for Safe and Responsible
Natural Gas Exploration and Development in NYS

Sign the online petition here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/YESngNY/petition.html

Mineral Rights Forum

2009-11-30T19:59:00.002-05:00

We have added this website to our list of Helpful Websites, it is a national forum for oil and gas mineral rights owners (as opposed to several play specific sites we’ve observed). The site is built on a platform that allows users to share photos and videos, create blog posts, and experience a social aspect with other mineral owners. The forum features four different categories for discussion: General Mineral Rights, Natural Gas Shale Plays, Oil and Gas Leasing Help Group, Mineral Rights Tax Issues.

NY Marcellus Shale Statewide Summit

2009-09-22T19:56:00.001-04:00

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at the Owego Treadway Inn.

The Marcellus Shale Team, a core group of Cornell faculty and staff, is researching expected impacts of natural gas exploration in the region, as well as possible mitigation strategies.
CCE will also continue to promote cross-collaboration of outreach and
education among the educational and research institutions throughout the
Marcellus Shale region.

2009-07-16T21:18:00.003-04:00

Cornell Cooperative Extension : Gas Leasing and Exploration

CCE has created a website devoted to this topic. The CCE Natural Gas Development Resource Center can be found at, http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu/

Public sessions on Marcellus Shale exploration

CCE will host a series of public meetings across New York's Southern Tier during July and August to educate residents about issues associated with the development of natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale.

CCE has organized a Marcellus Shale Team comprised of Cornell faculty and extension educators to provide targeted education, training, and support to a variety of stakeholders, ranging from local officials to individual landowners to concerned citizens. The CCE "road show" will bring Cornell educators to local communities to cover environmental,
community and economic development, regulatory, and leasing issues related to natural gas drilling.

The meetings, co-sponsored by CCE Association offices, will occur from 7-9 p.m. Residents should contact their local CCE Association for more details. The tentative schedule is as follows:

Grace United Methodist Church in Corning (Steuben County), July 16;

Chenango Town Hall (Broome County), July 22 - call 607-584-9966 to register

Waverly (Tioga County), July 28; Waverly High School - call CCE Tioga
at 607-687-4020 to register

Watkins Glen (Schuyler County), Aug. 5;

Liberty (Sullivan County), Aug. 17

"Intensive natural gas development in other states has, in recent years, been accompanied by substantial changes in established trends in population, land use, environment, community, and economy," said Rod Howe, assistant director for Cornell Cooperative Extension and one of the road show facilitators. "These changes have the potential to
transform the fabric of many-especially rural-communities in New York in
ways that are both positive and negative."

Howe added that examining the ramifications of natural gas drilling at the outset "makes it more likely that negative impacts will be minimized and positive aspects realized."

CCE’s upcoming events:

2009 A Primer for Natural Gas Taxation Issues Applicable to NYS Landowners

Introduces tax practitioners to the income tax rules pertaining to landowners involved in leasing for natural gas drilling in NYS.

Brochure and Registration Form, go to:
http://agfinance.aem.cornell.edu:80/Primer%20for%20Natural%20Gasschool.htmlDATES &

LOCATIONS:

August 24, 2009, Batavia, NY at the Batavia Party House
August 26, 2009, Liberty, NY at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Sullivan County
August 27, 2009, Owego, NY at the Owego Treadway Inn

This seminar will introduce tax practitioners to the income tax rules pertaining to landowners involved in leasing for natural gas drilling in New York State. It will provide a comprehensive background on the exploration, drilling and production processes, lease arrangements, and
the current leasing situation for New York State landowners. Specific coverage will include lease payments and pertinent lease clauses, depletion rules, royalty and working interests, miscellaneous income items, forced pooling, Federal income tax legislation and regulations,
application of AMT, special NYS tax issues, industry terminology, available research resources, and suggested practices for your firm.

Speakers: James E. Leonard, CPA, PLLC, Endicott NY;

Joseph A. Bennett, CPA, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell.

New York Marcellus Shale Summit Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at the Owego Treadway Inn.

The Marcellus Shale Team, a core group of Cornell faculty and staff, is researching expected impacts of natural gas exploration in the region, as well as possible mitigation strategies.

CCE will also continue to promote cross-collaboration of outreach and
education among the educational and research institutions throughout the
Marcellus Shale region.

The Geology of Tioga County

2009-06-16T00:45:00.001-04:00

Tioga Central Middle School Auditorium (click here for directions)
Fifth Avenue
Tioga Center, NY

Friday, June 26, 2009
7:00pm-9:00pm

Don Zaengle - Petroleum Geologist with a Masters in Geology and over 20 of experience in exploration, development, and production. After several months of study Don has a major update on the natural gas opportunities in Tioga County. His investigation will provide insight into the evaluation process used by the energy companies. He has returned, by special request, with an update so don’t miss this important meeting.

Independent Oil & Gas Association Meeting

2009-04-27T10:10:00.004-04:00

The Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York invites you to attend a public information meeting regarding the potential natural gas exploration of the Marcellus Shale.
Thursday, April 30th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Broome Community College - West Gym
Upper Front St. Binghamton, NY

2009-04-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

Natural Gas Impacts to Local Governments and the Role of Community Task Forces - Webinar
Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension
Monday, May 4, 2009
3:00pm - 4:30pm

Natural Gas Development offers unique challenges to local governments and municipalities that have not been previously faced in New York State. Experienced local government officials from New York and Pennsylvania will discuss impacts to local government services such as emergency response, police, road and bridge, planning and zoning, housing, and others.

Additionally, the concept of the Community and Local Government Task Force will be discussed as a way to meet some of these challenges. Members of task forces currently in place in NY and PA will discuss their organizations.

Register at CCE's Natural Gas Development Resource Center:
http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu.

Earth Talks Spring 2009

2009-04-27T10:02:00.001-04:00

Marcellus Shale Series Lecture
Monday, April 27, 2009
4:00pm

"The Marcellus and Other Shale Plays in Pennsylvania: Are They Really Worth All the Fuss?"
John Harper, Chief, Geological Division, Pennsylvania Geological Survey

Watch the lecture online!

NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION SEMINAR

2009-04-19T20:45:00.001-04:00

Knowledge Is Power
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm

New York State Grange Headquarters (click here for directions)
100 Grange Place
Cortland, NY 13045

This informational session will focus on leasing and surface impacts associated with gas exploration in the Marcellus shale formation.

Lindsay Wickham, Field Advisor with the New York Farm Bureau will be on hand discussing various aspects of the leasing process including: leasing terminology, leasing components, the landman, coalitions, compulsory integration and more. Also on the agenda is Brett Chedzoy, a forester with the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s South Central NY Ag Team and a farmer in Schuyler County, who will share his insights on minimizing surface impacts from natural gas development activities on farm and forest land.

Interested landowners, neighbors, and local representatives are urged to attend. Registration is not required prior to the event. If you have any questions about the seminar or regarding any of the services or programs provided by the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District please call 607-756-5991.

Earth Talks Spring 2009

2009-04-19T20:42:00.001-04:00

Marcellus Shale Series Lecture
Monday, April 20, 2009
4:00pm

Alexandra Fuller, award-winning author.

Watch the lecture online!

Spring 2009 EarthTalks - Marcellus Shale Series

2009-04-19T20:40:00.000-04:00

Marcellus Shale Play: Boon or Burden?

A lecture series sponsored by the Earth & Environmental Systems Institute, College of Earth & Mineral Sciences, the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment, the Environment and Natural Resources Institute, the EMS Energy Institute, and the College of Agricultural Sciences - All talks are open to the public and are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Mondays in 112 Walker Building.

You can view the live lectures and archived presentations online.

Oppose Natural Gas Production Tax

2009-04-06T20:45:00.002-04:00

Lawmakers in Albany are currently considering a new tax on natural gas production. If lawmakers impose this tax, they will drive natural gas businesses out of business, harming our cities and towns and creating yet another roadblock to economic progress and energy independence. Voice your opposition to this new tax today by visiting the E-Lobby Center at www.nyfb.org.

How to E-LobbyIt’s fast and easy:
1. Go to www.nyfb.org and click on the red E-Lobby Center box at the top of the page.
2. Find the letter you want to send and click “Take Action.”
3. The recipients and the letter text will appear. Type in your name and address and press “Send Message” at the bottom of the page.
4. Your letter is sent directly to legislators and you are helping to impact farm public policy! Encourage your friends to E-Lobby by typing in their e-mail addresses.

If you have any problems using the E-Lobby Center, call the NYFB office at 1-800-342-4143 and we will be happy to walk you through the process. Thank you.

Earth Talks Spring 2009 Marcellus Shale Series

2009-04-02T21:31:00.004-04:00

"Gas Pains: Technical & Operational Challenges in
Developing the Marcellus Shale" 4PM April 6, 2009
William Ottaviani, Chief Operating Officer, Rex Energy
Watch live

Marcellus Shale Series Lecture

2009-03-22T21:07:00.000-04:00

"The Significance of Marcellus: A Commonwealth
Perspective"
Monday, March 23, 2009
4:00pm

J. Scott Roberts, Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Office
of Mineral Resources.

Watch the lecture online!

New Members

2009-03-13T21:18:00.005-04:00

We are still accepting new members with 10 or more acres. The boundaries of Apalachin Landowners Group, are from Nichols to Vestal, on the South side of the river, and the Campville area. If you are interested, please call Annette Gibson@ 625-2743, or 760-3542 for more info.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Website

2009-03-13T21:09:00.004-04:00

We have added the CCE website on Natural Gas to our Helpful website list.
Also there will be a webinar, if you would like to attend register below.
April 7, 2009 Gas Leasing Webinar
Topic: Gas Leasing Landowner Coalitions: Structures, Goals, Issues
Time: 3:00-4:300 pm
Register Online: Register to attend by clicking this link.

PUBLIC MEETING FOR FARMERS

2009-01-14T23:03:00.003-05:00

Saturday, January 17, 2009
Noon - 3:00pm

Tioga Central High School Auditorium (click here for directions)
27 5th Avenue
Tioga, NY 13845

Learn how the Natural Gas Development will Affect your Farming Operations & AG Programs

Agenda
• Ashur Terwilliger - President of the Chemung County Farm Bureau
• Tom Pipher - Farm Services Agency Executive Director
• Josh Brown - Tioga County Economic Development Associate Planner
• Wendy Walsh - Soil and Water Conservation District Manager
• John Lacey – Land Resource Pipeline & Easement Specialist
• Andrea Klett – Town of Owego Property Assessor
• Molly Shaw – Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialist Tioga County
PLEASE NOTE: Each presenter will discuss changes and ways they can help. There will be a question and answer session will follow the last presenter.
Sponsored by Tioga County Landowners Group

GAS LEASE SEMINAR 1/22/2009

2009-01-14T22:17:00.005-05:00

Chemung Canal Trust Company
is pleased to host an informational seminar that will help make sure you have the right information to make the right decisions.

Thursday, January 22, 2009
7:00pm-9:00pm
Binghamton Regency Hotel
225 Water St., Downtown Binghamton

Let our panel of local, knowledgeable, experienced, experts provide you with useful information and take the time to answer all of your questions.

Topics Include:
"The state of Gas leasing in New York and Pennsylvania"
Scott R. Kurkoski, Levene, Gouldin, and Thompson, LLP

"Income Taxation on Gas leases"
James E. Leonard, CPA,PLLC

"Keeping it in the Family Estate Tax Do's and Don'ts
Kathryn Grant Madigan, Levene, Gouldin, and Thompson, LLP

R.S.V.P. - (607)771-6369
Please RSVP by January 20th to be sure we have enough handouts
No cost to attend, refreshments and beverages provided
Event sponsored by Chemung Canal Trust Company

IMPACTS OF NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION

2008-12-22T00:02:00.004-05:00

Two Presentations on the Impacts of Gas Exploration
Monday, January 12, 2009
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Tioga Central High School Auditorium (click here for directions)
27 5th Avenue
Tioga, NY 13845

"Surface Impact Considerations for Forest and Farmland"
Brett Chedzoy

Brett is a Regional Extension Forester in Natural Resources for the South Central NY Ag Team (Chemung, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler and Cortland Counties). He is also a livestock farmer on 200 acre family farm in Watkins Glen,
where he is on his second gas lease and in 1995 had a large NYSEG pipeline built on his farm.

"Economic and Social impacts from Natural Gas Development"
Jeffrey Jacquet

Jeffrey has spent the last 4 years consulting to local governments on the impacts of natural gas development in the state of Wyoming. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Sociology. Mr. Jacquet recently relocated to Ithaca, NY for his wife's educational pursuits and is currently consulting for Cornell University and Penn State University. He will also be teaching Sociology Classes this spring.

IOGA TO HOST PUBLIC FORUM 1/7/09

2008-12-21T23:56:00.002-05:00

The Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York

to Host Public Information Forum

Meeting will provide facts on all facets of natural gas exploration

Lakeview, NY -- The Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York (IOGA-NY) will host a public information forum in response to community concerns regarding potential natural gas exploration in New York State.

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 7

Broome County Community College

Cafeteria

Upper Front Street (NY Route 11)

Binghamton, NY

Industry professionals will provide details on the history of natural gas production in New York State, land leasing, the drilling process, and then participate in a question and answer session.

"Our goal is to help clarify misconceptions and provide accurate information on the natural gas exploration process," said Brad Gill, Executive Director of IOGA-NY. "Natural gas exploration is not new to New York. Our member companies have been drilling here for decades and have an exceptional track record on environmental compliance and safety standards."

"At a time of financial hardship, we have the chance to provide an energy resource not only for our state, but nationwide," said Gill. "This tremendous resource will yield new economic development opportunities, create substantial job growth and reduce our reliance on others by giving us our own low-cost energy source. This is such an exciting time for New York -- we must embrace this opportunity, not shy away from it."

For additional information on natural gas exploration, as well as an up-to-date listing of the association's public meeting schedule, please visit IOGA-NY's informational web blog: www.marcellusfacts.com.

***

IOGA-NY is a trade association founded in 1980 to protect, foster and advance the common interests of oil and gas producers, professionals and related industries in the State of New York. IOGA-NY takes great pride in its commitment to members and their local communities.

Informational Meeting on Gas Rush in Tioga Co.

2008-12-10T21:00:00.004-05:00

Gain Insight into the Future of the Natural Gas Rush on Tioga County
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Candor High School Auditorium (click here for directions)
1 Academy Street
Candor, NY 13743

County officials from Bradford County, PA traveled to Wise County, TX to understand what the future environmental, social, and economic impacts and benefits may be on their area in PA. Come and view a 30 minute video, hear their presentation and engage in a panel discussion with officials. This presentation could provide a glimpse of what the future may look like in the Southern Tier.

Panel members include:

Bradford County, PA officials

John Lacey - pipeline specialist (retired from Ag and Markets)

Wendy Walsh - Soil and Water Conservation District

Ashur Terwilliger - President of the Chemung County Farm Bureau

PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is open to the public, State and local government officials, municipalities, and business leaders are strongly encouraged to attend this informative presentation.

Marcellus Shale Could Be Biggest Play In US

2008-11-20T00:05:00.001-05:00

Penn State Geoscientist Terry Engelder points out in this article that Marcellus Shale may contain 7 times more Natural Gas than originally estimated. Range Resources, who has drilled many Marcellus Gas Wells, says that Marcellus could be the biggest Gas Play in the United States. The information further validates the information provided by Chesapeake in their Oct08 Analyst Meetings. http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081104/ny_shale_gas_potential.html?.v=1

Many Good Sources For Info

2008-11-16T22:25:00.003-05:00

We have added the web sites for many local landowner groups, under Other Landowner Groups on the left of the page. We encourage our members to visit these sites and see what other groups are doing, and also to view information and links that may be different from ours. Also under Local News, the pressconnects.com site has made some changes, and you will find a wealth information, and helpful links.

Important upcoming meetings

2008-11-16T22:07:00.006-05:00

Discussion On The Geology of Tioga County and a Presentation on Closed Loop Drilling
Don Zaengle - Petroleum Geologist
Nick Schoonover - Tioga County Landowners Group
Friday, November 21, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm

Newark Valley High School Auditorium (click here for directions)
68 Wilson Creek Road
Newark Valley, NY 13811

Assistant Attorney General
Announces 2 forums to be held on Landowners' Rights: Oil & Gas Leases:

Tuesday, Nov. 25th, 6:30 p.m. at Candor High School

Tuesday, Dec. 16th, 6:30 p.m. at Delaware Academy

Please share the announcements with anyone you think would be interested in attending. Thank you very much.

Dennis C. McCabe
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Binghamton Regional Office
44 Hawley Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
607-721-8771

StatoilHydro Cuts Deal With Chesapeake Energy

2008-11-13T19:43:00.003-05:00

StatoilHydro inks deal with Chesapeake

Norwegian natural gas supplier StatoilHydro has inked a deal to acquire a 32.5-percent stake in natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s Marcellus shale gas acreage, the European company said Wednesday.

StatoilHydro added that its interest in the Marcellus Shale, a gas-rich land mass in the Appalachia region of the U.S., includes 0.6 million net acres of Chesapeake’s 1.8 million net acre-leasehold.

The company will pay Chesapeake $1.250 billion in cash, as well as $2.125 billion on a 75 percent carry on drilling and the completion of the wells, StatoilHydro said.

In a press statement, StatoilHydro said the deal includes more than 32,000 leases in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and Ohio -- all states with areas in the Marcellus Shale region. Chesapeake intends to continue to buy leases in the shale, and StatoilHydro says it will have a 32.5-percent stake in participation associated with new leaseholds.

Clean Energy Alternatives

2008-10-07T11:27:00.003-04:00

The two new sites we posted, under Clean Energy, will give you a good idea why there is such an interest in the Marcellus Shale play.

Norwich Evening Sun Article

2008-10-05T12:42:00.003-04:00

This is a recent article that appeared in the Norwich Evening Sun, we thought it may be of interest to group members, and the public in general. To keep up with what's going on in Chenango County, you can read the Norwich Evening Sun at

www.evesun.com. Here's a recent sample (9/16) of a gas-related article:

By Melissa deCordova

Sun Staff Writer

mdecordova@evesun.com

NORWICH - It's taking more time than expected for landowner groups to reach leasing agreements with natural gas companies due, in part, to new environmental reviews required for horizontal well permits and water withdrawal limits set by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

In July, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation made environmental quality reviews a part of the application process for new well permits. The SRBC, just a few weeks ago, anounced a policy change that requires prior approval for natural gas companies to withdraw water for drilling purposes.

The Oxford Land Group, which represents 350 private landowners who own 24,000 acres, had expected to receive lease bids back in August and enter into an agreement this fall. Group consultant Jackie Root said tighter scrutiny of the industry had slowed leasing activity across the state.

"Deals are taking more time," she said.

Group President Bryant LaTrouette said companies that were interested in bidding need more time. "Their main concern is New York State restrictions that have been put upon them. They are restricting offers," he said.

A Vestal landowner group representing 6,000 acres recently met with similar delay, LaTourette said.

Natural gas industry specialist and attorney Christopher Denton said the leasing process has not slowed down as much as it has "changed gears." Development in the Trenton Black River formation in Steuben and Chemung counties hasn't slowed, for example.

"The permits may be less, but you don't see the companies stopping," he said.

Denton also referred to last week's record deal in Pennsylvania where five companies, including giant Exxon Mobil Corp., bid between $1,151 and $5,837 per acre on 74,000 acres of state land.

Natural gas companies have also changed their focus from leasing land for drilling to leasing land for pipeline easements, he said.

"Like any process, certain parts slow up and then other things speed up. As the play's economical, political and regulatory environment changes, you will see suttle changes from month to month."

Central New York Landowners Coalition President Richard Lasky said he expected natural gas companies to begin buying and leasing land in full swing at the beginning of next year.

"It's a tactic. They (gas companies) will come back. There's 150 trillion dollars worth of gas down there. They have an enormous amount of land. They're not going to walk away," he said.

In related news, the Coalition has retained the law firm of Levine Gouldin and Thompson, LLP, of Binghamton in conjunction with Peter Hosey of Jackson Walker, LLP, of Texas to negotiate their lease. Coalition members and landowners are invited to meet the new legal team for a question and answer session from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Unadilla Valley Central School.

Until recently, Denton had provided gratis legal consultation and was a guest lecturer for the Norwich-based Coalition. Because the Coalition, formed in May, has grown from 1,200 to 50,000 acres, Lasky and members of the steering committee said they needed "to transition to a law firm that was equipped to handle the growing organizational needs of all our members in a timely fashion." Denton said he would continue to be a guest speaker at educational forums for the group.

"We have great respect and appreciation for Attorney Denton and his quality staff and are grateful for all the time he devoted to addressing meetings in our area and informing landowners about the perils of the gas leasing process," a statement from the Coalition's newsletter reads.

Denton, whose firm litigates compulsory integration leases for clients, said more landowners are educated about lease offers and have formed groups to stipulate more advantageous terms. His lectures, which attract groups across the state numbering up to 1,000 at a time, have begun to focus on seismic testing permits and easement leases because companies have begun approaching more property owners to do both.

"If they are granted without real consideration and a hard look, they can damage a person's ability to lease their land for drilling. It is less financially beneficial to another company who might want to lease land for drilling because they would then have to buy their competitor's easements. And that can be very expensive. It reduces the competetive edge and marketability of the landowners land," he said.

Melissa deCordova

Staff Writer

The Evening Sun

(607) 334-3276

www.evesun.com

The IOGA of NY to Host Public Meeting in Owego

2008-09-30T10:59:00.005-04:00

The Independent Oil and Natural Gas

Association of New York to Host Public Information Forum

Meeting will provide facts on all facets of natural gas exploration, specifically Marcellus Shale

Lakeview, NY -- In response to concerns that have arisen within the community in regard to potential natural gas exploration here in New York State, the Independent Oil and Natural Gas Association of New York (IOGA-NY) will host a public information forum:

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 7

Owego Apalachin Middle School

3 Sheldon Guile Boulevard

Owego N.Y. 13827

TIOGA STATE BANK INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR

2008-09-29T21:18:00.005-04:00

Receiving Gas Lease and Royalty Payments?
You need to know the Tax Implications and
possible Investment Options.
Tioga State Bank is holding an informational seminar on
October 22 2008 at
Owego Treadway 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Panel includes: James Leonard CPA, PLLC ,
David Allen PhD.,Senior Financial Consultant
Tioga State Investment Services
Anne McKenna CFO,CPA Tioga State Bank
RSVP Required by October 17th
Please call Customer Service Center at 1-888-303-4872
Limited Seating

Beware the Landmen

2008-08-08T11:37:00.003-04:00

As we move closer to sending our lease out for bids, don't be surprised if you're contacted by a landman.

They may tell you that, " it's your last chance before they pull out of the area", or, "gas companies won't sign with groups", or, "the amount of bonus money is going to go down soon".

Don't believe it. It's a 'last ditch effort' to 'pick off' as many of our members as possible. And they're still only offering as low as $700 per acre if they think that you can be fooled.

The landmen working this area have not given us reason to believe them in the past. And there's no reason to believe that they'll give us the best deal now. But most importantly, you do not want to sign one of their gas company leases that could take control of your land for the rest of your life.

Misinformation - Don't Be Fooled

2008-08-08T11:19:00.003-04:00

Don't be fooled by some of the misinformation that has been distributed by certain parties. In response to some of the various 'non-truths' we issue these statements:

- There is no truth to the rumors that the Apalachin Landowners Group steering committee members have signed with another group. We are here to see this through.

- There is no truth to the rumors that the Apalachin Landowners Group is unorganized and without a timetable. We are right on schedule in terms of the goals we set for ourselves.

Tends to make you question the character of those spreading these rumors.

Verifying Emails Finished

2008-08-08T11:06:00.002-04:00

We have finished sending our Verifying Emails to all members of the Apalachin Landowners Group that have email service. In other words, if you are on our list, you should have received a Verifying Email from us by now.

If you did not get an email, it means that you and your property are NOT on our final list. We will be handing the final list over to the attorneys any day now, so if you are NOT on our list and feel that we have made an error somehow, contact us immediately!

Moving Forward

2008-08-03T08:14:00.003-04:00

We were flooded with last minute signups and are in the process of entering all of the member information.

We'll be sending emails to all 'official' members to verify that you are indeed a member of the group. We will post on this web site when these emails have been sent. If you do NOT get a verifying email, it means that, for some reason, we did not get an official sign up form from you. If you are sure that you sent one, but are not on our list, email or call us immediately. (For those who do NOT have email service, we will make verifying phone calls, but these will take more time to complete.)

At the same time, we're continuing to move forward. We sat down with our legal team and went over our list of concerns as property owners. This week we'll meet with our attorneys again to review the first draft of our lease contract.

There's an old saying that goes, "If it weren't for lawyers, we wouldn't need lawyers". Well, this is one situation where we all need a lawyer ... and we need a good one. We're happy to have the staff of Levene, Gouldin, & Thompson and Peter Hosey of the Jackson Walker law firm (Texas) representing us in this venture.

FORMS DEADLINE - JULY 31

2008-07-09T01:34:00.004-04:00

- Property owners in Apalachin, South Owego, Lounsberry, Nichols, Vestal, Campville who wish to join the Apalachin Landowners Group must submit a Sign-Up Form and Questionnaire by July 31

- Sign Up & Questionnaire Forms can be downloaded from this website: (left)

GROUP MEETING - JULY 17

2008-07-09T01:25:00.002-04:00

Group Meeting - Apalachin Landowners Group
Thursday, July17 @ 6:30PM
Apalachin Elementary School - 405 Pennsylvania Ave, Apalachin

Presentation by attorneys Levene, Gouldin & Thompson and Peter Hosey

Open to property owners in Apalachin, South Owego, Lounsberry, Nichols, Vestal, and Campville

Environmental Issues

2008-07-05T21:11:00.009-04:00

Toward the end of the question & answer period of our May 21st public meeting, one gentleman stood out from the crowd by asking something like, "Is anyone even thinking about the environmental impacts, or is this all just about the money?". And I realized that he was right ... it's very easy to get wrapped up in the money-making aspects of this situation.

Since that time I have been scouring the internet to research the environmental consequences of leasing our land to the gas companies. I quickly learned about a multitude of environmental hazards (of all kinds) just by visiting some of the 'environmental group' web sites. But I also quickly learned that the information on these sites is not the whole story. Their position is obviously 'anti-drilling', and the information is presented in the most negative light possible.

After several weeks of research, I have put together my own findings and thoughts on the environmental effects of gas drilling. (Click on the link below to read)

Kevin Lewis

http://www.box.net/shared/x8rghm000o

Bernstein Report Very Encouraging

2008-07-02T22:34:00.004-04:00

Although the Barnett Shale (Texas) covers about 17 to 20 counties, there are only 4 or 5 counties that make up the 'Core Area'. That's where all the good wells are and where landowners are getting those big bonus payments.

Click on the link below to read what the Bernstein Report has to say about the Marcellus' potential. Although this report focuses on PA, we're not that far from the area(s) being discussed.

Pay particular attention to Pg 7 of the report. The map on that page shows where they think the 'Core Area' may be. The good news ... we're just inside it.

http://www.box.net/shared/8uoi5k8kcc

Fortuna Expanding Exploration

2008-07-02T09:53:00.002-04:00

After the initial lease flurry, things have kind of died down. But that's because it's 'early in the game'. There is still NY legislation that needs to be signed and oil & gas companies are still formulating their strategies regarding the Marcellus Shale. Whitmar and XTO have claims to the east while Fortuna is gearing up just to the west. Click on the link below to see what Fortuna is up to.

http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/NEWS01/807010318/-1/ARCHIVES

Storage Lease vs Drilling Question

2008-06-05T08:10:00.004-04:00

Question: What if my property is under lease for Storage?

Answer: (Per a Mineral Resources Specialist with the Bureau of Oil & Gas Regulation, Permits Section at the NYSDEC - Division of Mineral Resources )
--A well can be drilled in a storage area to tap an oil or gas reservoir located above or below a storage zone provided the company drilling the well has the mineral rights to drill into those potential hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs. (see our Group’s Comment below) Certain precautions would be required and have to be taken to "protect" the storage zone while the new well is being drilled if the company drilling the well wanted to drill below the storage zone. Those precautions equate to more expense for the company drilling the well.
--As an alternative to drilling through a storage zone, the surface location of the well(s) could be located outside the storage reservoir but you might still be able to share in the production out of that well if your lands were included in a spacing unit for the well being drilled. If your acreage is within the storage zone or its buffer, you should know as you (or earlier landowner if minerals rights were split from surface ownership when you purchased property) would have a storage lease with the owner of the storage facility.
--Group’s Comments:
1) If your storage/buffer lease is only to a certain depth, we believe you can lease the mineral rights to another company for the depths below that. If your storage/buffer lease is for all depths, then our understanding is that the company you are leased with owns the mineral rights for all depths.
2) For anyone who has a storage lease (whether storage or buffer), we recommend that you check the details of your specific lease and consult with an attorney.
--
Loretta A. Sullivan

Tax Questions & Answers

2008-06-04T09:37:00.003-04:00

Question: If a gas company places a well on your property, will your property taxes go up?

Answer: (Per the Tioga County Tax Assessor) "If a gas company places a well on your property, then a separate tax map number would be issued for the well and the gas company will be responsible for all tax increases associated with the well. If you look at the property records for the Town of Owego, you will see that any wells that have been built are assigned their own tax map number and the tax bills associated with that number go to the gas company. The only way that I can think of that would change this is if the gas company puts a clause in the lease that somehow makes the landowner responsible for the taxes on any structure that is built for gas drilling. But why would anyone go for that? "
Comment: The Apalachin Landowners Group will ensure that the lease we all end up signing does not contain this kind of clause.

Question: If a person signs a lease and gets so many dollars per acre, would that personʼs assessment (property) be raised.

Answer: "Please be assured that this is NOT the case (per the Tioga CountyDirector of Real Property Services)......assessments are not raised on properties that sign leases."

To Sign Up

2008-05-21T07:40:00.011-04:00

Want to join the Apalachin Landowners Group? Contact any one of the area representatives listed below:

If the Location of your Property is:
South Owego
- Loretta Sullivan: 625-4543 / lorettas@stny.rr.com
- Annette Gibson: 625-2743 / longcreekgibson@yahoo.com

Apalachin
1. 'The Terrace' & Marshland Rd areas
-Loretta Sullivan: 625-4543 / lorettas@stny.rr.com
- Annette Gibson: 625-2743 / longcreekgibson@yahoo.com

2. McFall, McFadden, Gardiner, Rhodes, Lillie Hill, Gaylord area -Loretta Sullivan: 625-4543 / lorettas@stny.rr.com
- Annette Gibson: 625-2743 / longcreekgibson@yahoo.com

3. Harnick, Bolles Hill, Pleasant View, Frank Mead area
- Annette Gibson: 625-2743 / longcreekgibson@yahoo.com
- Loretta Sullivan 625-4543 / lorettas@stny.rr.com

4. West of Penn Ave - Beach Rd to Rte 434
- Carol & Dick Hunt 625-4194 / hunt8368@yahoo.com

5. Chestnut Ridge to Long Creek Rd area
- Annette Gibson 625-2743 / longcreekgibson@yahoo.com

6. West of Penn Ave - South Apalachin Rd to the PA border
- Bill Delaney 687-1422 / bdelaney@stny.rr.com
- Loretta Sullivan 625-4543 / lorettas@stny.rr.com

Community Gas Lease Meeting

2008-05-15T18:37:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, May 21
7:00 - 9:00 PM

Apalachin Elementary School Auditorium
405 Pennsylvania Ave, Apalachin

Open to all Apalachin and South Owego property owners

Guest Speaker; Chris Denton, Attorney