Oil & Gas

Northeastern Ohio is in the midst of an oil and gas boom unlike anything this region has previously experienced.  Oil and gas opportunities can be very profitable for landowners but are also fraught with risk. 

Landowners often think of signing an oil and gas lease as the final step of a transaction.  In fact, signing an oil and gas lease is the first step in a journey of opportunity.  Harrington, Hoppe and Mitchell has the resources and experience to help landowners make their journeys profitable while avoiding pitfalls along the way. 

Joining a Landowner Group

HHM helps organize and negotiate for groups of landowners who want to secure fair terms when leasing their land for oil & gas exploration. We have represented groups with as many as 100,000+ acres of land and have also counseled much smaller groups. If you are interested in joining one our landowner groups, email us here.

Oil & Gas Group Capabilities

HHM’s Oil & Gas Law Practice Group provides counsel and service on lease negotiations, landowner group formation, title matters, business formations, dispute resolution and litigation and much more.  Read about all of our capabilities on our Oil & Gas Law Practice Group page.

Oil & Gas Group Attorneys

Alan D. Wenger, Chair
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Alan’s bio. Email Alan here.

Kevin P. Murphy
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Kevin’s bio. Email Kevin here.

Thomas G. Carey
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Tom’s bio. Email Tom here.

Gina L. Strickland
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Gina’s bio. Email Gina here. 

Resources 

Sample lease with notes: This lease was prepared for the Associated Landowners of the Mahoning Valley, a group of Ohio landowners who negotiated with an energy company for fair pricing and terms. It includes notes that call out some (but not all) of the ways the lease differs from standard form leases often advanced by energy companies.

Sample seismographic testing agreement: This agreement points up issues that should be should be considered when a seismic testing company wants to access a landowner's property. It is intended for educational purposes only.  Do not use it as a substitute for consulting with an experienced oil and gas attorney about your specific situation.

Oil & Gas Group in the News

• Nov. 16, 2012 – Landowners Seek to Amend Leases (Tribune), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 14, 2012 – Lordstown Group to Negotiate  (Tribune), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 13, 2012 – Drillers Want ‘Another Bite at Apple’ (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 13, 2012 – '3 Minutes With' Alan D. Wenger (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 12, 2012 – Landowners Getting Halcon Offers (Beacon Journal), mentioning Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 12, 2012 – Ohio Drilling Bill Adds Rules, Stirs Controversy (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 12, 2012 – Landowner Group Holding Meeting (WYTV TV), featuring Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 12, 2012 – Lordstown Landowners to Bargain (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 10, 2012 – Shale Contracts Don’t Come Easily (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 10, 2012 – Supplying O&G: Be Smart, Ready (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Oct. 25, 2012 – Columbiana Chamber Hosts Shale Event (Business Journal), mentioning Alan D. Wenger
• Oct. 25, 2012 – Decades-Old Fields Raise Questions (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• July 21, 2012 - Did Columbiana Decide on Lease? (Salem News), mentioning Alan D. Wenger
• July 19, 2012 - Locals Concerned in Poland (WFMJ TV), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• July 3, 2012 - Property Owners Try the Courts (WKSU), quoting Alan D. Wenger 
• June 13, 2012 - Landowners Cautioned (Business Journal), mentioning Oil & Gas Group
• June 13, 2012 - Know Your Rights (Tribune Chronicle), mentioning Oil & Gas Group
• June 13, 2012 - Leaseholders Get Advice (Vindicator), mentioning Oil & Gas Group
• June 3, 2012 - Let the Seller of Mineral Rights Beware (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• June 2, 2012 - Property Owners Told to Be Wary of Annuities (Vindicator), quoting George P. Millich, Jr.
• May 28, 2012 - Landowners Urged to be Wise with Money (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger 
• May 19, 2012 - Wi-Fi One Possible Use for Gas Lease Profits (Salem News), referencing Alan D. Wenger
• May 2, 2012 - Columbiana Chamber Eyes Drilling Impact (Salem News), referencing Alan D. Wenger 
• May/June 2012 - Representing Oil & Gas Lessors (Ohio Lawyer), authored by Alan D. Wenger
• April 23, 2012 - Attorney: City Should Go With Oil, Gas Lease (Salem News), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• April 21, 2012 - Landowners Win Ruling (Vindicator), referencing Frederick S. Coombs III
• April 19, 2012 - Landowners, Companies Argue Cases (Morning Journal), quoting Frederick S. Coombs III
• April 19, 2012 - Judge to Decide on Seismic Testing (Vindicator), quoting Frederick S. Coombs III
• April 18, 2012 - Seismic Testing Company Sues Landowners (Vindicator), quoting Frederick S. Coombs III
• April 11, 2012 - ALOV Plans to Exit Role as Negotiator (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• April 10, 2012 - Landowners Sued for Blocking Tests (Business Journal), quoting Frederick S. Coombs III
• April 4, 2012 - Columbiana Council Considers Gas Lease Options (Salem News), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• March 21, 2012 - Solicitor: Poland Deed Bars Leasing of Rights (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• March 15, 2012 - Drillers Face Higher State Taxes in Ohio (NPR News), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Feb. 21, 2012 - Poland Officials Taking Time on Land Lease (WKBN TV), mentioning Alan D. Wenger
• Feb. 19, 2012 - Mill Creek Park Board Vets Options (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Feb. 10, 2012 - Experts Advise Doing 'Due Diligence' (Daily Legal News), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Feb. 3, 2012 - Southwest Coschocton Landowners Association (gomarcellusshale.com), meeting report
• Jan. 5, 2012 - Quakes Jeopardize Ohio City's Economic Recovery (NPR News), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Dec. 30, 2011 - Landowners Urged to Put Deals into Escrow (Vindicator), quoting Christopher J. Baronzzi
• Dec. 29, 2011 - Lease Protects Landowners from Issues (Vindicator), quoting Christopher J. Baronzzi
• Dec. 28, 2011 - Oil and Gas Leases: Learn How to Reap Benefits (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Dec. 27, 2011 - Caution Encouraged When Selling Mineral Rights (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Dec. 26, 2011 - Shale Leasing: Gushing in Deals (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Dec. 1, 2011 - Rights Leasing Could Affect Real Estate Market (WKBN TV), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 30, 2011 - Oil & Gas News Videos (Vindicator Shale Sheet) 
  • Fracking Chemicals, featuring Christopher J. Baronzzi
  • When All Else Fails, featuring Christopher J. Baronzzi
  • Standard Lease Agreements, featuring Alan D. Wenger
  • Taxation of Leases, featuring Christopher J. Baronzzi 
  • Leasing vs. Selling, featuring Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 28, 2011 - Attorney Talks About Property Rights (WKBN Radio), featuring Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 21, 2011 - Before Signing with Broker, Get Facts (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 20, 2011 - Details on Drilling Leases Attract Crowd (Tribune), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Oct. 25, 2011 - Chesapeake Secures Utica Drilling Rights (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• July 15, 2011 - Environmental Issues Make Drilling Boom Controversial (WKSU), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• July 14, 2011 - Shale Gas Could Fuel Economic Revitalization (WKSU), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• July 14, 2011 - Breaking Down Beliefs About ‘Fracking’ in Ohio (Ideastream), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• June 29, 2011 - Water Contamination is Concern in Drilling (Vindicator), quoting Christopher J. Baronzzi
• June 28, 2011 - Residents Get Lesson in Leasing Land (WKBN TV), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• June 20, 2011 - Landowners Lose Cash, Rights in Some Deals (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• June 10, 2011 - Use Caution When Selling Rights, Lawyer Warns (Farm & Dairy), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Nov. 14, 2010 - Boom Leads Residents to Fend for Themselves (Vindicator), mentioning HHM
• Oct. 7, 2010 - Firm Plans Additional Meeting for Shale Concerns (WYTV), quoting Alan D. Wenger
• Sept. 29, 2010 - Marcellus Shale Seminars Scheduled (Morning Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger