Hilcorp Uses PA Forced Pooling Law Against Lawrence Cty Landowner

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frowny faceThis is not the kind of story we enjoy sharing with you. Hilcorp, a major driller in the Utica and Marcellus Shale, has decided to take what we consider “the low road” and is using a 1961 Pennsylvania law to sue a landowner to allow them to drill under their property. It’s called “forced pooling,” “compulsory integration,” and a variety of other terms. MDN does not support it. Our argument is simple: My neighbor should not have the right to tell me I can’t drill on and under my land, and I should not have the right to force it on my neighbor if they don’t want it. We believe it’s the only defensible position in the drilling debate.

Regardless, Hilcorp has moved forward with a legal action against a landowner in Lawrence County, PA who owns just 14.6 acres in a drilling unit leased by Hilcorp–and that 14.6 acres apparently prevents Hilcorp from drilling. So off to court they go…

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