WV Drillers Take Issue with Landowners re Lease “Release” Bill

Something of a kerfuffle has kicked up in West Virginia over the issue of drillers issuing lease "release" (some call it "cancelation") notices--issued after a lease has expired. Senate Bill (SB) 554 dominated debate on Tuesday at a meeting of the WV Senate Energy Industry and Mining Committee. WV landowners (and rights owners) say a lot of older leases don't have a release provision/notice, something landowners need so they can explore leasing with another driller after an existing lease expires. Drillers say the bill as proposed will create a logistical and administrative nightmare of paperwork.

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