The Oil and Gas Addendum

An Oil and Gas Blog for Landowners. The law of oil and gas here in Pennsylvania and throughout the Marcellus Shale region is complex and continues to evolve and change. If you own oil and gas rights, keeping up to date on these changes and trends is critical. The Oil and Gas Addendum is your resource for timely and informational articles on the latest developments in oil and gas law. Our oil and gas practice here at Houston Harbaugh is dedicated to protecting the interests of landowners and royalty owners. From new lease negotiations, to title disputes, to royalty litigation, we can help. We know oil and gas.

Energy Independence? Current Events May Prove Test Case

“Energy Independence” has been frequently heard in recent years as a tag-line to marshal public support for shale drilling. But, is there a connection between shale drilling and American energy independence? Recent developments may start to provide more of an answer.

For decades, oil and gas production levels and pricing have been determined by geopolitical forces and competing interests of individual countries, cartels and some of the largest companies on earth. As the Middle East has been the center of oil production for many years, much attention has been focused on this region, with fears that domestic discord or armed conflict could cause oil prices to skyrocket based on concerns that oil supply would be impacted.

Last week, Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in Iraq, an event which has inflamed an already tenuous situation between the United States, Iran and Iraq. This event may offer some insight into the question of whether American “Energy Independence” exists – or the degree to which it exists.

On January 2, 2020, benchmark Brent Crude closed at $66.25 per barrel. On January 6, 2020, it closed at $68.91, gaining about 4% versus January 2. Since then, it has fallen. On January 2, 2020, benchmark West Texas Intermediate closed at $61.18 per barrel. On January 6, 2020, it closed at $63.27 per barrel, gaining about 3.4% versus January 2. Since then, it has fallen. For natural gas, on January 2, 2020, Henry Hub closed at $2.12 per MMBTU. On January 7, 2020, it closed at $2.16 per MMBTU, up about 1.9% – still below its December 31, 2019 close of approximately $2.19 per MMBTU.

In this small subset of time, immediately following a military action in the Middle East it appears that American benchmark oil (West Texas Intermediate) experienced less of a price increase than the European Brent Crude, though not by a substantial amount. For natural gas, however, the Henry Hub price has slightly increased in this period and is still trading at its lowest levels in months – and at a lower price than before this military action in the Middle East.

The world we live in is complex, fast moving and interconnected. Does this limited subset of data tell us anything about the concept of American “Energy Independence”? It is very difficult to project these values going forward and there remains a substantial “unknown” about whether tensions will further escalate in the Middle East. But, it does seem notable that Henry Hub natural gas pricing has not experienced any “spike” and remains at lower levels than before the recent boiling point.

Only time will tell if dramatically increased oil and gas production in the United States insulates domestic energy pricing from “flashpoint” events abroad, but it is an issue that is worth following to determine if “Energy Independence” is a real thing or whether it is simply a marketing mantra.

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
Pittsburgh Oil and Gas Lawyer Robert Burnett attorney headshot

Robert Burnett - Practice Chair

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.

Head shot photo of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Lawyer Brendan O'Donnell at Houston Harbaugh

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