Oil and Natural Gas Leasing & Development
Updated May 4, 2012
The Farm Bureau organization supports the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies.
American Farm Bureau Federation Policy #402 on Energy states...
We support... The oil and gas industries' use of hydraulic fracturing in the exploration and recovery process. Hydraulic fracturing should continue to be regulated by the states, rather than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
For more information on Farm Bureau's policy development process, click on "Policy" in the menu on the left.
Leasing Farmland for Oil and Gas Production
May 22, 2012
Units 24 and 25 of the University of Illinois Extension, in conjunction with the Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline, Wayne, and White County Farm Bureaus, will be hosting two upcoming informational programs titled, “Leasing Farmland for Oil and Gas Production.”
The program will feature Ohio State University Extension Educators, Clif Little and Chris Penrose, who will discuss the positive and negative impacts horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have had in the state of Ohio over the last few years.
The program will be held on Tuesday, May 22. The program will take place at two different locations and times that day. The first presentation will be at the Hamilton County Junior-Senior High School in McLeansboro at 9:00 a.m. The second presentation will be at the First Christian Church in Fairfield at 6:00 p.m.
There is no cost to attend the program, but in order to have enough seating and handouts available, pre-registration is required. You can call the Extension office at Fairfield at 618-842-3702 or contact the Wayne County Farm Bureau office at 618-842-3342 to register. OR you can send us an email to register.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Illinois Farm Bureau's Alan Jarand with RFD interview with Illinois State Geological Survey Petroleum Geologist Dave Morse on Hydraulic Fracturing.
Video & Web Resources
Well Water Testing
If you suspect an oil or gas well will be drilled near a water well on your property, we recommend that you conduct a baseline water test of that well. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has a list of water testing labs in Illinois. You will need to contact the lab directly, and inquire about the proper testing procedure. Click here to go to IEPA's list.
Legal Review of your Lease
It is critical that you take steps to make sure your land, water, and minerals are protected. We highly recommend that you have your lease reviewed by a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing the lease. The Illinois Farm Bureau recommends David Foreman of Foreman, & Kessler, Ltd. They are located at 204 E Main in Salem, IL. Their phone # is 618-548-8900.
Land Contracts & Leases
Informational Program held on March 6, 2012
An informational meeting was held on March 6, 2012 for landowners and farmers to give them guidance and information about signing mineral rights leases for oil and gas exploration, including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracking. Around 230 individuals attended the program.
Speakers on the program included Kevin Reimer a geologist from Harrisburg, IL; David White, a landowner and farmer from Cisne, IL; Laura Harmon, Assistant General Counsel with the Illinois Farm Bureau; and David Foreman, an oil and gas attorney from Salem, IL.
While the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Wayne County Farm Bureau do not endorse one particular energy company or land company over another; our organization does support oil and natural gas development in Illinois. It is highly recommended that you seek out the services of a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing a lease.
Click the links below to listen to the Land Contracts & Leases Program...
Note: Some portions of the audio have been amplified in order to hear audience questions.
Presentation slides from Kevin Reimer
Presentation slides from David White
There were no presentation slides from Laura Harmon and David Foreman.
DVD's of the Land Contracts & Leases program are now available at the Wayne County Farm Bureau office. We are in the process of uploading the video to our You Tube channel. Check back often for more information.
Wayne County Farm Bureau - Fairfield, IL
Copyright 2012 All rights reserved.
