I’m not surprised the Editorial Board took another swipe at the oil and gas industry (”Ohio’s property-pooling law for oil and gas drilling is hurting private property owners,” Sept. 29). This time they parroted a study, whose lead researcher is based in Las Vegas (nothing oozes St. Clairsville charm like Vegas, baby!), attacking the industry and insulting the business prowess of Eastern Ohioans.
Landowners play an important and equal role in mineral development. Unitization exists to ensure efficient development and correlative rights and to protect the property rights of the majority against the minority. Unitization also allows development to move forward for the majority if some landowners are deceased or unreachable. Often a landowner prefers unitization due to their own unique circumstances. Just like lawyers, landmen are bound by a code of ethics and are required to perform their duties in a professional manner.
We agree that there is no place in Ohio for those who violate their ethics. The Editorial Board should stop assuming Appalachian Ohioans can’t read a contract or insisting they know what is best for families in Ohio’s oil and gas regions. Frankly, it is insulting to anyone who lives and works in eastern Ohio.
Rob Brundrett,
Worthington
Rob Brundrett is president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association.
