Oil and Gas Lawyers
Pennsylvania has long been a powerhouse of American energy production, and the continued development of the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations ensures that natural gas remains a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s economy. However, capitalizing on and developing resources like natural gas and oil is rarely straightforward. The legal landscape is a dense web of federal regulations, state statutes and highly localized municipal zoning ordinances.
At MPL Law, we understand the unique challenges that energy stakeholders face. We know you need a strategic partner who understands the energy business. Our experienced team of PA oil and gas attorneys takes a proactive, forward-thinking approach to helping our clients achieve favorable outcomes.
Our Oil and Gas Focus Areas
Our focus on practical, attainable and tailored solutions enables MPL Law to stand out from other oil and gas law firms. Because we represent a diverse range of clients, including developers, municipalities and landowners, we possess a 360-degree view of the industry. This holistic perspective allows us to craft legally sound and commercially viable strategies.
Our depth of experience enables us to assist with every phase of the energy life cycle, including acquiring site control, clearing complex mineral titles, obtaining land-use entitlements, negotiating fair lease terms and ensuring regulatory compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Oil and Gas Lease Negotiations
An oil and gas lease is often one of the most significant financial transactions for a landowner. Our gas and oil attorney team works with property owners to negotiate terms that go far beyond the initial signing bonus. We focus on:
- Royalty clauses: We will help ensure you receive a fair percentage that reflects the market value of your resources, protecting you from excessive postproduction cost deductions.
- Pugh clauses: Get help preventing the company from tying up all your acreage if it drills only a small portion.
- Surface protections: Our oil and gas attorneys can enable you to dictate the placement of wells, roads and pipelines to minimize the impact on your home or farming operations.
Pipeline Easements and Rights of Way
If a pipeline company approaches you for an easement, you have rights. These agreements are permanent encumbrances on your land, and the initial compensation the company offers is rarely the final number.
We assist landowners in negotiating:
- Compensation: We will help you secure fair payment for the easement footprint and temporary workspace.
- Restoration: Our lawyers will draft specific language requiring the company to restore your soil and land to their original condition.
- Non-interference: Protect your ability to develop your commercial, industrial and agricultural real estate in the future without violating the easement terms.
Mineral Title Examination and Curative Work
In Pennsylvania, different individuals can own the surface of the land and the minerals beneath it, a concept known as “severed rights.” The chain of title must be clean before any drilling or royalty payments can occur. Generations of inheritance, unrecorded deeds or vague wills often complicate matters.
Your MPL Law oil and gas attorney will work closely with our in-house title insurance and settlement services team to:
- Conduct exhaustive mineral title searches to determine ownership.
- Identify clouds on the title.
- Perform curative work, including filing Quiet Title actions to resolve ownership disputes and ensure the payment of lease bonuses and royalties to the rightful owner.
Transactional Matters
Whether you are a family forming an LLC to manage royalty income or an investor acquiring mineral assets, the corporate structure matters. Our PA oil and gas lawyers handle the business side of energy, including:
- Entity formation: We can help create family limited partnerships or LLCs to protect assets and manage tax liabilities.
- Purchase and sale agreements: We draft robust contracts for the buying and selling of mineral rights and working interests.
Why Trust MPL Law?
Our commitment to delivering exceptional, personalized client service sets MPL Law apart. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you are a farmer in York County concerned about a pipeline crossing your fields or a developer seeking zoning approval for a new project, we take the time to listen and gain a thorough understanding of your unique situation.
We operate with honesty and integrity. We will set realistic expectations about the outcomes of your lease negotiation or zoning hearing, and work tirelessly to achieve the most favorable result possible. We believe that by developing close partnerships, we can help you find the best solution as the energy landscape continues to evolve.
Schedule a Consultation With an Oil and Gas Lawyer
When searching for an oil and gas law firm in the York, Pennsylvania, area, MPL Law can assist you. Reach out to us online today or call to get a consultation.