The Marcellus Shale has created jobs and revenue streams that have been immensely beneficial to the state. However, there are numerous legal issues that are occurring with shale development.
We decided to give you the full picture of Marcellus Shale by breaking the following blog post into the “Five W’s” (who, what, where, when, why). Read on to learn more!
WHAT is it?
The Marcellus Shale is a sedimentary rock formation. This formation produces natural gas that when sourced through the process of fracking, offers a wealth of potential in terms of supplying energy to the country.
WHEN was it formed?
Marcellus Shale was formed in the Middle Devonian age between 419 and 359 million years ago. It was first named as the “Marcellus Shales” by J. Hall in 1839. The first Marcellus gas production from the well began in 2005.
WHERE is it located?
Marcellus Shale is found throughout the Allegheny Plateau region of the northern Appalachian Basin of North America. It is found throughout most of the northeast, including:
- The Southern Tier of New York
- Most of Pennsylvania
- Eastern Ohio
- Western Maryland
- Most of West Virginia
- A Small Portion of Kentucky
- A Small Portion of Western New Jersey
- Near the Border of Canada Near Southern Ontario
WHO does it affect?
Marcellus Shale affects many different stakeholders, including:
- Landowners
- Master Service Providers
- Buyers & Sellers of QuarriesBusinesses Providing Support Services
- Energy Conservationists
- And More!
If you fall under any of these categories, keep reading below to find out why you should care about Marcellus Shale and how you could benefit from experienced legal services.
WHY should you care?
If you are a property owner:
Many issues can arise in the Marcellus Shale development, including title and ownership disputes relating to mineral rights, as well as lease disputes between property owners and energy companies. Property owners are at risk of falling prey to energy companies securing their mineral rights and using their property in an unfair manner.
Allow us to help protect your rights and hold energy companies accountable for their actions. Contact us today.
If you are an environmental conservationist:
While shale gas emits lower levels of greenhouse gases than coal, there are fears that it could undermine the efforts to switch to renewable energy sources, which are far more environmentally friendly.
In addition, methane leakage is possible during shale gas extraction. Methane gas is extremely toxic and flammable, possibly endangering nearby communities and wildlife.
If you believe you and your families health and well-being have been negatively affected by the extraction of shale gas from the Marcellus Shale, then give our attorneys a call.
If you provide support services:
Businesses that support the energy companies developing the Marcellus Shale will need to work with public utility commissions in the areas the work is being done to obtain required permits.
Our attorneys can help you secure the permits you need to remain in compliance with local regulations.
If you are buying or selling a quarry:
Because quarries are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, quarry transactions can be quite confusing and complicated. As can remaining compliant with local regulations.
Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys can help you navigate this confusing process and provide a market analysis and quarry valuation in the process.
If you are a master service provider:
A master service agreement details work that needs to be done and the money owed to those doing that work, amongst other things. While extremely important, these agreements are often very complex and can be quite challenging to make sense of.
Our attorneys will help draft and negotiate a master service agreement that best protects your interests. In addition, our litigation services prove valuable if there happens to be a dispute.
In The News
Marcellus Shale is seemingly always in the news as the courts look to rule on various disputes. Click the links below to read about some of the more recent rulings and updates regarding Marcellus Shale and the mining of shale gas.
- Marcellus Shale natural gas royalty case moves to state Supreme Court
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court preserves ‘rule of capture’ for fracking
For more information about Marcellus Shale, what it is, its opportunities, and legal complications, click here.
For more information about how we can protect your business’s interests in the Marcellus Shale development, contact us today at 570-820-3332 and schedule a free initial consultation!