What is a ground lease? A ground lease is a long-term agreement where a ground tenant leases land from a landowner and has the right to develop and use that land during the lease period. Typically, the ground tenant owns any...more
Planning for mineral rights is a crucial aspect of estate planning, specifically for landowners with valuable mineral assets. Mineral rights can significantly impact the value and management of an estate, and proper planning...more
Let’s assume you own a 160-acre farm in Washington County. Your father purchased the farm in 1992 from a local farmer named Jones. (the “1992 Deed”). At the time your father purchased the farm, there was an oil and gas lease...more
Let’s assume you own 125 acres in Greene County, Pennsylvania. A landman from XYZ Gas Co. approaches you about a new oil and gas lease. The lease purports to grant XYZ Gas Co. exclusive drilling rights to the Marcellus...more
Many Pennsylvania oil and gas leases have what is commonly known as a “market enhancement” royalty clause (“MEC”). These MEC leases typically prohibit the deduction of any post-production costs that are incurred transforming...more
Deducting fuel costs from landowner royalties continues to be an ongoing and widespread practice. Not only are landowners denied a royalty on the fuel gas volume, but they are also having that same “cost” deducted from their...more
KEY FACTS OF REAL ESTATE ACQUISITIONS UNDER HONG KONG LAW - Introduction - According to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”), all realties in Hong...more