| QUESTIONS TO ASK A DRILLING COMPANY BEFORE YOU SIGN A GAS LEASE |
| 1. Ask your drilling company to put in writing that all of their employees and all of their sub-contractors employees have passed background checks and have no criminal record. Remind them that you are concerned for your children’s safety and protection of your home. 2. When the drilling company sends someone out to do your pre-drill water sampling ask for at least two weeks notice so you can have another water company of your choice (that you will pay) to be present to do a “split sample”. You will want to do the same for your post-drill sample. Ask them what “EPA Method” they will be using so you can make arrangements with your testing facility. In 2015, the required distance for pre-drill well water testing was 2,500 feet, which is an increase from the early days of Marcellus Shale drilling when it was only 1,000 feet. |
3. Ask for specifics on where their entry road will be, expected hours of use and the volume of traffic.
4. Would they consider moving the road to the very edge of your property? Express your concerns over the safety of your children playing in your yard, the constant noise and the fact that your property value will decrease. This road will be used frequently for many years following drilling, so try to situate it accordingly.