Who HAS leases? How you can find out In Lawrence County, leases for Marcellus Shale mineral rights are being offered primarily by two companies: Shell Western Exploration and Production and Hilcorp.

In Lawrence County: Go to the website lawrencecountyrecordspa.us. Create an account.

Once on the site, click “search public records.” Fill in the date range. Most leasing for Marcellus Shale gas wells began in earnest in the county in 2007.

Clear the field of “all document types.” Then, scroll down and check boxes next to “memo lease — under 30 years” and “oil and gas lease.”

There is a parameter available to indicate which municipality you want to search.

Shell also has an office in New Castle on New Castle-Butler Road in a strip plaza across from the Giant Eagle. Members of the public are allowed in to see a map that has proposed well development outlined on it. Shell representatives in the office said the proposed developments are subject to change.

Hilcorp apparently does not have a local office.

In Mercer County: To look up a lease, go to recorder.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us. Click on the “records search” button on the left. Fill in “Hilcorp Energy” under “Last/firm name.” Fill in “oil & gas lease” under the drop-down menu “kind.” Shell also has some leases listed under the name SWEPI LP.

FYI

If you want to keep up with the latest Marcellus Shale or other horizontal drilling permits issued by the DEP, use this link: http://www.depreportingservices.state.pa.us/ReportServer/Pages/ReportViewer.aspx?/Oil_Gas/Operator_Well_Inventory_By_County.