Gas Exploration and Leasing on Private Land: Tips and Guidance for New York Landowners

By: Jim Ochterski (July 2008)

This paper presents an analysis of the potential benefits and challenges associated with natural gas exploration in New York, focusing particularly on its implications for rural economic development and the relationships between private landowners and gas exploration companies. The initial interaction typically occurs during the gas leasing process, a stage that demands careful consideration and understanding on the part of the landowners.

The paper aims to inform New York landowners about the gas exploration and leasing process, detailing the nature of the gas resource, the reasons and ways they might be approached for leasing, the workings of a gas lease, and key considerations for decision-making on this matter. It underscores the importance of landowners comprehending this process to make well-informed decisions, suggesting that professional assistance from both public and private legal and natural resource experts can help prevent complex legal situations and undesirable impacts on natural resources.