In an article titled“The State of Compulsory Integration in Pennsylvania” that appears in The Legal Intelligencer, Michael Joy, Robert Jochen and Steven Chadwick of our Pittsburgh office review the challenges oil and natural gas developers face in Pennsylvania. The authors argue that an established compulsory integration process will benefit the industry by providing a predictable permitting … Continue Reading
Selecting a title company for a transaction is influenced by a number of factors, including the level of customer service, responsiveness and sophistication (particularly when dealing with complex commercial transactions). Knowledgeable and responsive escrow officers and underwriters can facilitate closings tremendously. However, underwriting guidelines may adversely affect an underwriter’s ability to deliver an acceptable title … Continue Reading
This post and related article was also written by Michael Joy and Robert Jochen. In an article that appears in The Legal Intelligencer, the authors discuss the significant impact that will result from a successful PA Supreme Court appeal of the lower court decisions surrounding Shedden v. Anadarko E & P Co., L.P., 88 A.3d 228 … Continue Reading
this is a follow-up to an earlier blog post on this issue from March, 2014 On Thursday, August 14, 2014, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania advised that it would consider the appeal from the Superior Court determination dated March 14, 2014 in the matter of Sheddon v. Anadarko E&P Co. LP. We will continue to update this … Continue Reading
On Thursday, July 17, 2014, in the matter of Robinson Township, et. al. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania issued the latest decision in the state judicial system’s ongoing review of amendments to Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act (“Act 13”). Under a prior decision issued on July 26, 2012, the Commonwealth Court … Continue Reading
On Tuesday, July 8, 2014, the Pennsylvania State Senate passed the Commonwealth’s fiscal code by a margin of 26 to 22. Included within the fiscal code, as a companion piece to the legislation, were provisions critical to the Commonwealth’s commitment to future natural gas development on state lands. Specifically, the fiscal code included measures which: … Continue Reading
On March 14, 2014, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of an oil and gas exploration company, applying the doctrine of estoppel by deed to prevent a landowner from partially repudiating an existing oil and gas lease. This decision is significant for oil and gas lessees as it stands for the proposition that … Continue Reading
Conveying oil and gas interests in Pennsylvania raises the question as to whether the document conveying the interest is subject to realty transfer tax and, if so, how the value of the interest determined and the tax calculated. Oil and gas transactions create a variety of interests in property. An oil and gas lease creates … Continue Reading
This is a follow-up to an earlier blog post on the PA Supreme Court Act 13 decision On Friday, February 21, 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced that it would not reconsider its December, 2013 decision striking down as unconstitutional broad portions of the 2012 law amending Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act (Act 13). Following the … Continue Reading
Urban areas, including the periphery, are now experiencing reverse migration back to the urban centers. This trend links to baby boomers who are now ‘empty nesters’ looking to eliminate work commutes and fulfill a desire for proximity to urban entertainment and cultural centers. Millennials have a role in this demographic shift, favoring a lifestyle where … Continue Reading
This post was also written by Peter Schnore. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s December 2013 decision regarding the constitutionality of the 2012 law amending Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act (Act 13) came as a disappointment to the oil and gas industry. Conversely, the decision was a holiday gift to those governments, groups and individuals seeking greater … Continue Reading
This post was written by Nav Sahota, Siobhan Hayes, Maricela Robles Garza and Daniel Kyriakides. There have been so many green initiatives from the UK government that it can be hard for companies owning or occupying property to work out what is really going to affect them and their bottom line. We are of the … Continue Reading
