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October 12, 2010 UPDATE |
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You may have noticed the drill site located on Westpark Way @ Pipeline. Since this is so close to the homes of many of the members of WENA, we have had numerous inquiries about what is happening. According to the latest news from the City of Euless, permits have been issued for 2 wells on that site. One well is finished and the 2nd well will soon be underway. The company involved is David Arrington Oil & Gas and for the time being they seem to be trying to hold lease expirations they have. At this time, they don't show any interest in dealing with the members of WENA. However, things are moving quickly and should that change, we will certainly keep you informed. |
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March 23, 2010 |
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We have heard from many of our members that landmen are out making offers again. We have also heard that other coalitions have or are in the process of finalizing leases. We want you to know that WENA is still here and working toward securing good lease agreement terms along with a reasonable signing bonus for all our members. As we have said many times before, we all have the potential for more favorable bonus and lease terms when we stick together as a group. Keep checking back for more updates. We will make more updates as more concrete details emerge. |
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Need a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) |
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June 12, 2009 Update |
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Many of you have asked, "Is WENA still around" or "Is anything happening?" The answer is, "Yes, we are" and "Not a lot." Here are a few of our thoughts on possibly why we appear to be in a holding pattern.
As we continue to watch low natural gas prices, we are hopeful that what appears to be a recovering economy will spur increased use of natural gas . The current economic crisis has reduced the demand for natural gas which forces gas prices to be lower. This results is less demand or money to buy and drill the gas that is underneath our properties.
When the economy recovers, the demand and price for natural gas should increase. This process may take a while but all accounts from different media groups indicate recovery will happen. Recent surges on Wall Street prices could indicate that some recovery for certain sectors may be starting or close to starting at this time. WENA is in a position to begin negotiations with potential drillers as soon as they indicate their willingness to start the process. We are aware of concerns that a few of you have related to being left out of the bonus/lease process and the "something is better than nothing" thoughts that the "Landmen" have initiated. We cannot guarantee success at the bargaining table, but we can reassure you that WENA is now larger than ever in membership and acreage representing close to 1000 properties. These properties consist of single family homes, commercial properties, rentals and other types stretching geographically from Raider Drive in far west Euless to Airport Freeway to the north, to Main Street on the east side to Trinity Blvd on the south side. As a large group of property owners, we have every intention of securing very good lease agreement terms along with a reasonable signing bonus. We may have to wait longer to accomplish this but with the possibility of a 30 year payout of royalties, the wait is worth the effort. |
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3/10/2009 |
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Many of our members have landmen knocking on their doors again. As usual, the landmen are trying to scare us into signing their "boilerplate" lease, which favors the gas company, not the landowner. The latest tactic is telling us that they will soon be drilling on the Pipeline and Hwy 157 drill site and we'll be left out if we don't sign now. That's great news in that if they are ready to drill, they should be more anxious to sign the remaining properties in our neighborhood. Remember...if they didn't need what we have they wouldn't be knocking on our doors. Since they want what we have, we need to be patient and let our negotiators make the best deal possible for us. Our contract has terms that are fair to the landowner and the gas company. One other thing you need to keep in mind is that the terms of the contract are as important and probably more important than the bonus. The terms of the lease may last 30 to 40 years and will affect you and possibly your heirs for years to come. Now is not the time to quit! We are working on getting a good deal for you. As soon as we have a concrete deal, we'll let you know...Stay Strong! |
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1/21/2009 Update |
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It's been a long time since we have posted any updates because the gas companies stopped negotiating with us when the price of natural gas dropped. Well, as predicted, the price of natural gas has risen and the gas companies are back with their same tactics! Recently, several of our members received a "lowball" offer from Dale Resources. I'm sure they are hoping that WENA has gone away and our members will jump at the offer, especially as times are tight for many of us. But WENA is still here, negotiating for fair terms at a better price. Don't forget that this is not just about the signing bonus. The terms of the lease will determine how much you receive for the life of the lease, which could be 20 yrs or more. We'll update you here as soon as we know more. Meanwhile, refresh your memory on the issues by re-reading the previous posts. |
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11/9/2008 Update |
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As you are aware, we are somewhat in a holding pattern due to the financial market crisis and the trickle down implications thereof. In the meantime, we are being proactive and continue to increase our density by recruiting new members and with good success. Our membership continues to climb and we are growing at a rapid pace while awaiting the temporary smoke to clear.
In spite of the recent financial crises, one positive we continue to see is evidence that the gas companies are still busy in our area. Also, of note, Chesapeake has apparently purchased the Gators Bar and old hotel facing Airport Fwy with plans to renovate the property for a local office.
Cold weather will soon make a greater demand for natural gas and with the election over, we expect the market to stabilize and the price of natural gas to rise. Likewise. we anticipate that with the rise in the price of natural gas will come more active leasing negotiations. In fact, some are already jumping the gun and using the Christmas holidays as a reason to take a pro-lessee 2 page lease. But don't be misled...they still have a need for our gas or they wouldn't be investing in our community and we have enough members to make a difference at the table when they are ready to deal.
Finally, remember that the signing bonus is only one factor we have to consider. The terms of the lease, which will possibly impact us and our heirs for 30-40 years to come could and should be more important than a fleeting signing bonus. If you sign the standard gas company lease form as an individual, the lease form will not be in your favor. We have to stay united if we are to combat their well-conceived and implemented tactics.
Again, we ask for your patience as we continue to work toward the combined success for our property owners. |
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10/21/2008 A Slow Economy Slows Our Progress |
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Several gas companies are rescinding offers made but not executed, pending an improved market (lower bonus amounts and/or higher natural gas prices). However, they are retaining the leases they have already executed. The gas companies and people wanting to lease their mineral rights are all casualties of a financial crisis in our global economy. While things look bad for the moment, most involved believe this to be a temporary situation. And remember, the lease bonus is but one component of the lease terms, and it's the most temporary one in that the other important terms will live on during the life of the lease. In spite of the state of our economy, WENA is being proactive. Our negotiators met October 13, 2008 to discuss lease terms and strategies when they do get back to the table. We sent almost 400 letters to holdouts in our area encouraging them to join us and we are getting a good response from those letters. We haven't given up and we hope you realize that it is to your benefit to stay with a large group through the crisis. It helps to know you're not in this alone. You're in good company... Warren Buffet is investing his money in the U.S. stock market...T Boone Pickens is investing in alternative energy...natural gas happens to be one of those alternative fuels for automobiles, which will cause a greater demand for natural gas. Both presidential candidates recognize that our country must get serious about developing alternative sources of energy to make us self-sufficient and again natural gas is one of those alternatives. When our economy stabilizes, we will be back at the table negotiating for a good lease at a fair price for our mineral rights. In the meantime, don't let anyone scare you into signing a long-term lease that isn't in your best interest. |
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October 3, 2008 Update - Welcome Oakwood Terrace - We are proud to have Oakwood Terrace join us! |
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Based upon the commonality between the two groups, the West Euless Neighborhood Alliance (WENA) and South Euless Oakwood Terrace have banded together for the purpose of strength through joint negotiations. Hereinafter, in order to help provide notice and keep everyone on the same page, members of the combined group will be mostly kept informed through the WENA website: www.westeuless.com. Members with email will be responsible to check the website for periodic progress reports. The people in each group without email will continue to be informed through their group's telephone committee as new information is posted on the website. By combining our groups, the area we now cover includes all of the properties that are West of Main Street, South of Hwy 183 (Airport Frwy) and to the southern and westernmost borders of Euless (excluding Morrisdale which has already signed a gas lease). For several reasons, it is imperative that we try to get as many of the remaining "holdouts" or unleased property owners in this area to join the coalition by signing MOI's. Our newly formed alliance is in the early stages of negotiations with at least two gas companies and is working quickly to develop and negotiate lease agreements that can benefit all of the participating property owners. Both leadership groups have worked extremely hard during the past nine months and joining together enhances the opportunities for all. |
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What YOU can do to help get the MOST $ and the best lease terms in the quickest amount of time |
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One way the rest of us can help is by continuing to talk to your neighbors. Let them know that you have joined us, the benefits, and what you have learned at the meetings. They may not know the WENA leadership or the block captains, but they do know you. Make sure that everyone that has not already signed a lease, signs a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to join us If you don't have an MOI, they are available further down this page. Pull the document up and print as many as you need to give to your neighbors. You will be doing them a favor, which will benefit both your neighbors and yourselves. Remember that unity in a neighborhood will get us a better deal with a better price. |
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July 24, 2008 WENA Meeting Summary |
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July 24, 2008 WENA met at the Restoration Church in Euless, TX. David Schmidt, one of our Organizing Team Members, moderated the meeting. He updated the members on the progress we have made since our last meeting and thanked those who worked so hard to make it all happen. He also thanked Restoration Church for their generosity in allowing us to use their building for our meetings. David then introduced our attorney and lead negotiator, Mark Nastri, to the membership of WENA. Mark spent the next 45 minutes speaking about gas leases and what we want to accomplish as a group; what we can expect from a lease, the importance of staying united, each member taking responsibility to speak to the holdouts on either side of them or across the street about joining us, how soon we can expect to negotiate a deal depends on how soon we get most of the holdouts signed up, keeping members informed, and asking the lessees to pay our attorneys fees. After Mark's presentation, he had an open forum for the members to ask questions, which lasted another 45 minutes. Some issues that are important to our members: environmental protections, cost-free royalty, requiring the lessee to cover any costs of obtaining subordination agreements, and bonus checks to be paid in a timely manner. We will keep our members updated on a regular basis. If you have property south of Hwy 183 to the southern border of Euless, west of Hwy 157 to the western border of Euless excluding Morrisdale, which has already signed leases and wish to be kept updated, you need to sign a "Memorandum of Intent," which is a downloadable document on this website. Click on the document, print it, fill it out and mail it to Patty Cook at the address on the bottom of the document. |
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Mark Nastri selected as WENA attorney! |
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Click the Read More to learn more about Attorney Mark Nastri.... |
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Read more...
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2nd WENA Meeting Summary |
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The West Euless Neighborhood Alliance (WENA) met May 29, 2008. David Schmidt, an organizing team member, moderated the meeting. After David introduced our Block Captains and Negotiating Team, he recognized those who have taken leadership roles and thanked Restoration Chuch for providing a meeting place for our group. Next, David discussed our progress, gave members information about education resources and encouraged those who haven't yet signed an MOI (Memorandum of Intent) to do so. Last on our agenda was a question and answer session in which many of our members participated. It was noted that things are heating up in our neighborhood with more offers from landmen, which is a good sign. Finally, David stated emphatically that WE WILL CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL, WEBSITE OR PHONE ONCE WE HAVE A FIRM GOOD OFFER. EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST RUMOR and should be treated as such. David reminded the members that while there is no cost to join our group, we do accept donations to help defray the costs of printing, cell phone, website, postage, yard signs, etc. David closed the meeting by announcing that we will have another meeting soon and will post that information on our yard signs as well as contact each member via email or telephone. |
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First Organizational Meeting Notes |
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The West Euless Neighborhood Alliance (WENA) is very grateful to Councilman Leon Hogg, Mayor ProTem for the City of Euless for moderating their organizational meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2008. He outlined for our members how best to negotiate a lease as well as giving helpful hints on organizing our group. As a direct result of Mr. Hogg's request, many of our members volunteered to act as Block Captains to continue our push to find others who wish to join us. We also had many members volunteer to negotiate and we are in the process of selecting a team to negotiate for our group. Many of our members were so generous with their donations to help with expenses when informed of the need, but there is still a need for additional funds to cover expenses already expended and for anticipated needs. We encourage each member to contribute to the cause. We are grateful to each of you for your support as we continue to work toward getting a better lease for the best price for our members from one of the three drilling companies who continue to contact many of our members. |
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Bonus Offers Keep Rising |
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An Arlington group has just received an offer for $25,000 per acre. Join us, your neighbors, as we work together against the inferior offers currently being given in our neighborhoods. |
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A Neighborhood Group Forms to Negotiate Best Gas Lease Options |
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GOT GAS WITH NO LEASE? DON’T SIGN THAT OIL & GAS LEASE BEFORE YOU TALK TO US! IN ORDER TO NEGOTIATE A BETTER LEASE WITH THE GAS COMPANIES, WE ARE ORGANIZING OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE NOT SIGNED A GAS LEASE! Like us, you may have received a revised offer from a company wanting to pay you an $8,000/acre bonus and 25% royalty. BEFORE you sign, you need to know that EVERYTHING is negotiable. Other neighborhoods have negotiated as large groups and achieved much higher numbers. Here are the ACTUAL final agreements some other neighborhoods were able to get: LAND AGENT BONUS/PER ACRE ROYALTY TERM OPTION Cheaha Land $19,000 25.5% 3 yrs 2yrs/$12,667 Dale Resources $17,000 25% 2 yrs 2yrs/$17,000 Using the approximation of 5 lots per acre, you can figure what your share might be worth. Your individual lot size will determine the size of your signing bonus. We are organizing the area west of Hwy 157and south of Hwy 183. There is strength in numbers! The best deals go to the neighborhoods that are able to organize, command acreage and compete for leases. If you are interested in being part of an organized group that will negotiate a better lease at a fair price from the drilling companies, please sign a MEMORANDUM OF INTENT, which is available today or on our website @ westeuless.com There is no fee to join us! (While there is no fee to join, expenses have been incurred in order to keep you informed. Donations would be appreciated to offset those expenses.) Occasionally, we need volunteers to help distribute flyers in your area. If you can help, please call Patty Cook @ 817/566-3030. • To lease, or not to lease, is an individual decision.
• The West Euless Neighborhood Alliance is only providing information and is not making any recommendations.
• The information being presented may, in no way, be construed as legal advice.
• The West Euless Neighborhood Alliance is not in the oil and gas business nor has it received any funds from the industry. |
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