Gas leases for Marcellus Shale explained

COLUMBIANA — The natural gas boom has finally hit Ohio, and energy companies have descended on the state’s eastern counties in the rush to snap up lucrative land in the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation.

As leasing activity skyrockets, many landowners are being forced to weigh a potential windfall of cash bonuses and royalty payments against the high risks of natural gas exploration.

“You have to be thinking about it, with all of the money they are throwing around,” said Lee Gabric, a Stark County landowner who has been approached by land companies to lease 150 acres of his land. “But you have to educate yourself — these leases can last forever.”

Gabric and his wife Carolyn were among 100 landowners that attended a seminar here today, hosted by the Youngstown law firm Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com