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BP meets with Trumbull landowners
GREENFORD
BP expects about 2,000 people to sign mineral-rights leases with the company through Monday for its planned drilling in Trumbull County.
On the fourth day of lease-signing at the Greenford Bobcats Space Center, the former Greenford Middle School, the parking lot already was full shortly after 9 a.m. as people were going through the roughly one-hour process. A steady stream of people entered the offices.
BP and Trumbull County residents reached a $331 million agreement in March. It will pay $3,900 an acre for between 84,000 to 85,000 acres.
Charles Houdak of Bristolville said the signing process was very organized.
“They have you fill out paperwork, then they verify everything before you sign your lease,” he said. “The bottom line is, they’re very organized.”
Charles and Sandy Houdak leased 15 acres to BP. They never had any doubts about leasing the land.
Hopefully, this will be good for the area, said Doyal Keeney, who, with his wife, Virginia, signed rights to BP for 40 acres of land in Johnston Township.
“There are still some questions about fracking,” he said. “Hopefully all the water and the wells will be well taken care of.”
The information provided by the company indicates the drilling will be good for the community and landowners, Doyal Keeney said.
Many of the people who are leasing land do not really understand everything that is going to go along with it, said Dan Jibotian of Bristolville, who leased 71 acres.
“The money is fine and dandy, but there is going to be something that comes along with it,” he said.
They do not understand the impact of the trucks and the rigs, Jibotian said.
“It’s going to be good for the economy,” he said.
Jibotian acknowledged that he had questioned whether he should sign the lease agreement.
“I’m just going with the flow,” he said.
BP will continue to sign lease agreements at the school through Monday, according to Ron Rybarczyk, director of government and public affairs for the company.
There has been a steady stream of people coming to sign leases, he said.
The goal is to make it simple for them to sign, Rybarczyk said. The company has attempted to change the process along with way to make it easier.
“This is new for this area, and it’s an exciting opportunity,” he said.
Most of those attending stated they traveled between 40 and 45 minutes to sign the lease. Associated Landowners of the Ohio Valley chose the location for the signing, Rybarczyk said.
He stated he was not sure why the Greenford location in southern Mahoning County was chosen.