I've got to start somewhere

[YoYoDog]

Hello everyone,
Im new here and this is my first post. A little bit about me; I've been watching this site for a long while and have learned alot. In the future I may have something to contribute but for now I'm sponging up all I can. Both my mother and dad recently died and I was left a little bit of money which I would love to buy a small place possibly in WV.
Looking on a few web sites offering land for sale, some would mention "Free Gas" and as my first question I would like to know what that means. Someone at work thought that either the current or previous owner sold off gas rights and possibly the gas company let them tap off the well. I'm not sure and was wondering if that is in fact the way it is, is this something that is legal/safe?

Thanks for the info
Dan

[Windy in Kansas]

Welcome to all of the forums. I am sure that you will enjoy all of them.

I think you are right about the mineral rights being leased or sold and that there is a producing interest in which you can tap into. Another post indicated that there is a maximum allowable amount you can use, but it seemed a reasonable amount.

Sorry to learn about the loss of your parents. Been there, done that, but mine were older which may not be your case.

[YoYoDog]

Come to think of it, I think I do remember someone saying something about using up some kind of amount. You would think if all this is true that the gas companies would'nt care about a limit unless you planned on going in the steel smelting business.
Thanks for the thoughts about my parents. Dad was 77 when he died. He found a spot on his lung in 1973 and quit cold turkey that day, but the Big C came back with a vengance and he was told he had 4 months. He in fact died 4 months to the day last Nov. Mom got out of bed one morning and hit the floor and was paralyzed from the neck down with a rare disease called GBS. She died of complications last month after a very long three years of suffering. They are both in a better place now.

Dan

[MELOC]

welcome dan. i have learned a lot about many things from the group of fine folks here. still learning here every single day. everyone has something to offer.

good luck with the home search.

[fantasymaker]

Glad ya dropped in on us!
The gas is usually from a well that would be venting it anyway .Often in that case you can use all there is but of course no more!

[cowgirlone]

Welcome to the forum Dan.
Our farm has free gas. The free gas claim was included when we purchased the place years ago.
A well was drilled on this section a looooong time ago, as long as it is running, we will receive free gas for our farm. If the owners of the well decide to shut it down, we will have to switch to something else (probably propane).