Andrew St. John Sr. Project Manager Managing Risks Associated with Title

Over 30 years experience in upstream, midstream and downstream land service Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX with multiple offices Houston, TX Washington, PA Midland, TX Our services include due diligence, leasing, title, curative, and everything in between

Fee interests Mortgages Judgments Easements Any other non-fee transfer What to Run, and How Far Back?

Surface Estate Oil and Gas Estate Coal Estate What Estates Are of Concern?

Dunham & Shortt v. Kirkpatrick, 101 Pa 36 (1882) Rebuttable presumption that a reservation of minerals does not include oil and gas Presumption rebutted by clear and convincing evidence that parties intended oil and gas to be included Recently reaffirmed: Butler v. Charles Power Estate, No. 27 MAP 2012, 2013 Pa. LEXIS 789 (Pa. April 24, 2013) The Dunham Rule

Originally passed in 1989 Reserved minerals will be deemed abandoned unless a savings event occurs within the previous 20 years Abandonment was automatic and the minerals would immediately vest in the surface owner Act revised in 2006 No longer automatic Surface owner must now file an affidavit of abandonment Ohio Dormant Mineral Act

WVa-AO WVa-AO Traditional title searches performed by landmen seems an awful lot like practicing law Landmen should perform their work under the direct supervision and control of an attorney licensed to practice law in West Virginia The West Virginia Landman Practicing Law Without a License Since 1863