Bill Under Consideration to Allow Pooling in West Virginia

The West Virginia Senate is reportedly considering legislation, Senate Bill No. 616, that would allow un-leased land to be included in drilling units.  This bill would not force an unwilling landowner into a unit, but rather would provide a mechanism for land with unknown owners to be included in a pool.  Any royalties resulting from drilling on those lands would be paid into an escrow account until the owner could be found.