OIL?AND gas leasing seems to be the big boom lately, and everyone from local landowners to new companies have the potential to benefit from it.

The big beneficiary from the latest trend of tapping into the Marcellus Shale can likely be the local and state economies.

These natural gas reserves have been sitting deep below our properties for centuries, but it wasn’t until recently that technology has developed that allows companies to effectively and efficiently extract the precious gas that is trapped in high concentrations in the deep layers of shale.

In light of the recent natural gas industry boom as companies tap into the Marcellus Shale, spin off companies have been gaining business along with those in the natural gas business. Firms are popping up to assist property owners with the leasing of their properties to companies wishing to drill for oil and natural gas. Law firms are also assisting property owners to work out deals in connection with the goods that lie beneath their lands.

A windfall can be in store for many, but we encourage anyone who is interested in negotiating a deal to seek professional assistance, as many factors can come into play, from tax issues to legal details.

And remember it can be a one-time deal, because once you sell it all, it’s gone forever.

But the oil and gas boom in Ohio and neighboring states could not have come at a better time. Oil and gas are natural resources that are valuable and will likely help the economy grow, both on the local level and across the states where drilling is taking place.

It’s safe to say that we’ve not yet seen the peak of the oil and gas leasing boom here in the Ohio Valley. We urge land owners to play it smart and get the most bang for their bucks if they plan to strike a deal and take advantage of this potential financial windfall.