An oil and gas lease is a binding agreement between a landowner and an energy company. It grants the company permission to explore, drill, and produce minerals from the land. For property owners in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, these leases represent a significant financial decision that affects the land for years.
At Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC, we work directly with landowners to review every section of an oil and gas lease before it is signed. Our goal is to make sure you know what you are agreeing to and that the terms are fair.
An oil and gas lease typically includes several key provisions that determine how the land will be used, how long the lease lasts, and what the landowner receives in return. Common sections include:
If even one provision is poorly worded or missing, it can lead to disputes, lost income, or damage to the land without proper recourse.
Energy companies draft leases with their own interests in mind. The language in these documents often favors the company, and without a legal review, a landowner may agree to terms that limit their rights or reduce their earnings.
A legal review helps you identify clauses that should be changed or removed. At Kostrub Law Firm, we have reviewed hundreds of oil and gas leases across Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Our team knows what red flags to watch for and how to negotiate better terms.
Through years of practice, our attorneys have seen a range of problems in standard lease forms:
Having an attorney involved early can prevent long-term problems and protect your interests from day one.
When you bring a lease to our office, we start with a full review of the document. We break down the legal language into plain terms so you can make informed decisions. If we find areas of concern, we prepare recommended changes and present them before anything is sent back to the energy company.
We also handle direct negotiations with the company or its representatives. Our attorneys have worked on energy transactions since 2006 and have built strong working knowledge of industry standards and regional practices. We serve landowners in Pittsburgh, Cecil, and surrounding communities in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
If you have received an oil and gas lease offer or need to review an existing agreement, do not sign anything without legal guidance. Contact Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC at (304) 982-1586 or visit us at kostrublaw.com to schedule a consultation.
A lease review includes a full reading of the document, identification of terms that may be unfavorable to the landowner, and recommendations for changes. Our attorneys explain every clause in plain language so you can decide with confidence.
Most lease reviews are completed within a few business days. The timeline depends on the length of the document and the number of issues that need to be addressed.
Yes. Landowners have the right to negotiate lease terms before signing. Our attorneys handle negotiations on your behalf to secure better royalty rates, stronger surface protections, and fairer conditions.
There may still be options depending on the situation. Our team can review the agreement and advise you on your rights, including any remedies or renegotiation opportunities that may be available.
The cost varies depending on the scope of the review. We offer consultations where we discuss your situation and provide clear information about fees before any work begins.
