Oil and Gas Blog
Pennsylvania Superior Court Interprets Forfeiture Clause in Oil and Gas Lease
Zoning Issues for a Well Pad Site in Post-Robinson Times
Subsurface Mining Rights Revisited
Coronavirus, Chinese LNG Imports & Force Majeure: A Canary in a Coal Mine?
Energy Independence? Current Events May Prove Test Case
Does a Well Passing Horizontally Under A Property Trigger A “Payment in Lieu of Free Gas” Clause? The Pennsylvania Superior Court Says “No”.
The New Royalty Bill is Good for Pennsylvania Landowners
Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules that Oil and Gas Rights Did Not Transfer to Buyer
What Is the Pennsylvania One Call System?
Federal Appeals Court Rules That Driller Must Establish Marketability of Each Gas Product Under Market Enhancement Clause
What the Hedge? - The Impact of Price Hedging on Landowner Production Royalties
Market Enhancement Clauses in Pennsylvania After Dressler Family, LP v. PennEnergy Resources, LLC
Is Deducting Fuel Costs Authorized by Your Lease?
Is the Value of Your Gas Really Being Enhanced?
Who Can Grant Gas Storage Rights?
Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules that Royalty Clause Referencing Both ‘Gross Proceeds’ and ‘At the Well’ Was Ambiguous
Kentucky Federal Court Fumbles Lease Expiration Claim
Are Your Royalties Going Up In Flames?
Texas Supreme Court Issues Troubling Decision in Royalty Dispute
Texas Federal Court Rules No Royalty Due on Gas Used to Fuel Off-Lease Operations
Federal District Court in Pittsburgh Rules That 1897 Deed Did Not Grant a Non-Participating Royalty Interest
The Net-Back Method Does Not Result In Better Pricing to Justify Deductions Under Market Enhancement Clauses
Is Your Driller Really Enhancing the Value of Your Gas?
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Issues Confusing and Troubling Decision for Landowners
Federal District Court Injects Confusion into Definition of Gross Royalty Under Pennsylvania Law
Pore Space: The Next Leasing Frontier for Pennsylvania Landowners?
Ohio Appellate Court Issues Troubling Decision for Landowners and Drillers
Are February 2021 Production Royalty Payments Leaving you Out in the Cold?
Is Your Driller Trying to Re-Write History?
Texas Supreme Court Rules That Gross Royalty Clause Prohibits Driller From Deducting Post-Production Costs
Historic Cold May Provide Window Into “Market Enhancement” Under Gas Leases
Texas Appellate Court Rules that Lease Terminated Due to Twelve Months of Non-Production
Hordis v. Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation: Landowner Challenges Whether Driller Can Ignore Pooling Clause and Simply Rely on Act 85
Why Is The Driller Deducting Post-Production Costs My Lease Doesn’t Allow? Kilmer V. Elexco Land Services: A Decade Later
Is Your Property At Risk If The Driller Or Pipeline Company Doesn’t Pay Its Contractors?
Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules That Payment Of Delay Rentals Alone Cannot Maintain A Lease Beyond Primary Term
Houston Harbaugh, P.c Files “amicus Curiae Brief’ On Behalf Of The Pennsylvania Chapter Of The National Association Of Royalty Owners In Briggs, Et Al V. Southwestern Energy (63 Map 2018)
About Us
Oil and gas development can present unique and complex issues that can be intimidating and challenging. At Houston Harbaugh, P.C., our oil and gas practice is dedicated to protecting the interests of landowners and royalty owners. From new lease negotiations to title disputes to royalty litigation, we can help. Whether you have two acres in Washington County or 5,000 acres in Lycoming County, our dedication and commitment remains the same.
We Represent Landowners in All Aspects of Oil and Gas Law
The oil and gas attorneys at Houston Harbaugh have broad experience in a wide array of oil and gas matters, and they have made it their mission to protect and preserve the landowner’s interests in matters that include:
- New lease negotiations
- Pipeline right-of-way negotiations
- Surface access agreements
- Royalty audits
- Tax and estate planning
- Lease expiration claims
- Curative title litigation
- Water contamination claims

Robert Burnett
Robert’s practice is exclusively devoted to the representation of landowners and royalty owners in oil and gas matters. Robert is the Chair of the Houston Harbaugh’s Oil & Gas Practice Group and represents landowners and royalty owners in a wide array of oil and gas matters throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Robert assists landowners and royalty owners in the negotiation of new oil and gas leases as well as modifications to existing leases. Robert also negotiates surface use agreements and pipeline right-of-way agreements on behalf of landowners. Robert also advises and counsels clients on complex lease development and expiration issues, including the impact and effect of delay rental and shut-in clauses, as well as the implied covenants to develop and market oil and gas. Robert also represents landowners and royalty owners in disputes arising out of the calculation of production royalties and the deduction of post-production costs. Robert also assists landowners with oil and gas title issues and develops strategies to resolve and cure such title deficiencies. Robert also advises clients on the interplay between oil and gas leases and solar leases and assists clients throughout Pennsylvania in negotiating solar leases.

Brendan A. O'Donnell
Brendan O’Donnell is a highly qualified and experienced attorney in the Oil and Gas Law practice. He also practices in our Environmental and Energy Practice. Brendan represents landowners and royalty owners in a wide variety of matters, including litigation and trial work, and in the preparation and negotiation of:
- Leases
- Pipeline right of way agreements
- Surface use agreements
- Oil, gas and mineral conveyances