Barnett Shale

Euless to hold forum on gas-leasing

The city of Euless will hold a gas-lease forum at 7 p.m. this Thursday at the First Baptist Church, 1000 Airport Freeway in Euless. The forum will focus on the significance of the Barnett Shale, and offer tips on lease negotiations, the drilling process and economic benefits of the Barnett Shale. Among the neighborhood groups that will attend is Midway Park Property Owners, formerly known as Park Addition Residents of Euless. That group has extended its boundaries to Airport Freeway on the south, Texas 157/Industrial Blvd on the west, Harwood Road on the north and Euless Main Street on the east.Organizers include Charles Simmons at charles-simmons@att.net and G.J. Walton at gjwalton@sbcglobal.net.

Here's a copy of the flier the city is distributing: Download euless_gas_lease_forum_flyer.pdf

Expected to speak are:

• Ed Ireland, executive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council
• Robert West, partner in the law firm of Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle and Sawyer. He has extensive experience in real estate and oil and gas transactions.

In addition, representatives from Chesapeake, Dale, XTO and Arrington will be there to answer questions. For more information, you can call (817) 685-1623.

--David Wethe

(Photo: Vacation bible school, First Baptist Church)

West Euless Neighborhood Alliance organizes

Homeowners who live in Euless west of Texas 157, south of Airport Freeway and north of Texas 10 are organizing in order to negotiate favorable mineral rights leases.

West Euless Neighborhood Alliance organizer Patty Cook says her group knows of an offer from Dale Property Services for $8,000 an acre and 25 percent royalty on a five-year lease, and also understands David Arrington Inc. and XTO Energy are circulating offers.

WENA is distributing flyers in neighborhoods and posting signs with phone numbers to call for more information.

Representatives also plan to attend the city's planned April 17 gas lease forum. For more information, visit the group's Web site or contact Cook at pattycook58@att.net.

-- Jim Fuquay

(Photo: Texas Star, Euless)

Euless organizes gas leasing forum

With energy companies approaching property owners for gas leases, the city of Euless is sponsoring the Euless Gas Lease Forum, 7 p.m. Thursday April 17 at the First Baptist Church Euless, Worship Center, 1000 Airport Freeway in Euless.

Speakers:

• Ed Ireland, executive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council, will give an overview of the drilling process and speak on the economic benefits of Barnett Shale production. The council, formed last year, is funded by energy companies.
• Bob West, a partner in the Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle and Sawyer, LLP law firm, will give tips on what to look for in a lease and how to approach negotiations with energy companies. Several neighborhoods have hired West in recent months to represent them in, or advise them on, talks with energy companies on a gas lease.
• Representatives from Chesapeake Energy, Dale Resources, XTO Energy, and Arrington Oil "will be on site to answer questions," the city says in a news release.

"With the influx of gas leasing occuring in our neighborhoods, the need for more information about Barnett Shale, the leasing process and neighborhood negotiations is great," the city says. The forum will "give residents an opportunity to ask questions and get responses directly from the source."

Here's more information about the Oakwood Terrace community in south Euless, which is organizing.

"We have not yet received any offers as a group," Dale Heisch, an organizer reports. Dale Resources has been offering leases in the neighborhood since last Spring, he said. "They have raised their last offer...(to) $5,000 per acre or $1,000 lot minimum, with 5-year primary term, 20 percent royalty."

Cheaha Land Services also has contacted the group, Heisch reports, "but we have not negotiated with them yet either." The group plans to meet soon.

Click here to visit the Oakwood Terrace web site. To join the group, you may send its organizers an email at EulessOakwood@yahoo.com.

Click here to read the City of Euless' gas drilling ordinance.

-- Scott Nishimura

(Photo: Glass bluebird awards for attendance at Oakwood Terrace Elementary)