The Republican., 1963-09-05
VOLUME 81.
Position Of Gas,
Oil Lessons Is
Listed BY Aiken
President Of Lessons Group
Expioins Three Objectives

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The position which a number of
people in the Accident area have
taken in regard to the disposition
of their gas and oil rights, was
explained this week in a letter
from B. o. Aiken, president of
the Garrett County Gas and Oil
lessons association, which was in
formed a few weeks ago after the
Texas Eastern Transmission cor
poration had announced its plans
to use the Accident field as a
storage area.
Mr.. Aiken pointed out the cor
poratiOn was making a flat offer
of fifty dollars an acre to people
who own land in the areas where
wells are producing, and are Of
fering twenty-five dollars an acre
to people who own land which is
under lease but not at present de-
veloped for production.
The offer includes not only the
right to store gas, but involves
giving up all gas and oil royalty
rights and forfeiting future pay
ments for storage.
nj y Ii FDl<
there was a vast difference between
leasing land for gas and oil pro-
duction and in selling these rights
for all time to come Once a per-
son sells his gas and oil rights he
forfeits his chances to participate
in any future production or future
payments for storage. The prcsi-
dent said many of the group be-
lievcd that selling mineral rights
in this fashion would be the same
as selling your birthright for a
mess of pOrridge." He advised it
could be they would be selling
something of immense worth for
small portion of its real value.
Some people in the Accident area
have received royalties from gas
which has amounted to more than
5000 an acre. The association men,
bers believe there is enough gas
left which should pay as much in
royalties as they have received in
the past
Mr. Aiken said there was an
other side to the picture. Some
people in the area have received
very little in royalties from gas
companies, and to offer him $50
an acre looks large, with the money
useable to pay off mortgage, buy
needed farm machinery, invest it,
etc. But he said if the Texas East
ern transmission corporation or
some other company should drill
additional wells and go deeper
they might find an immense quanti-
ty of gas or oil, and the owner
would not participate at all in the
production.
In 1858 and 1854 Snee and Eberly
purchased gas and oil rights from
some people in the area for S. per
acre, Mr.. Aiken said Had they
not sold then they could now get
$50 per acre. Those who now sell
for $25 or $50 might see the time
when their gas and oil rights would
be worth 5000 an acre or more, he
pointed out.
Mr.. Aiken explained that the as
sociation had three objectives, to
try to get as much information as
possible about gas and oil produc-
ton and storage, to investigate as
far as possible, the future posSibili-
ties for gas and oil production in
this county, and to act in an adj
visory capacity for those faced
with problems concerning gas and
oil royalty rights.
He declared his group was in
terested in the future of the county,
and willing to cooperate to the
fullest extent if the Texas Eastern
wanted to develop the area and
give the landowners an opportuni-
ty to participate in the develop
ment.
Mr.. Aiken said they realized that
investing some S18 million dollars
in the Accident area would mean
much to the economy of the coun-
ty from the standpoint of employ
ment and increasing the tax base.
He said he felt the corporation
could work this out in way
which would be fair 10 land own
ers and profitable to it.