Mercer

NOTICE

BEFORE THE VIRGINIA GAS AND OIL BOARD APPLICANT: CNX Gas Company LLC DIVISION OF GAS AND OIL RELIEF SOUGHT: (1) Re-pooling; and DOCKET NO. VGOB 93-0420-0361-04 (2) Dismissal of certain coal claimants as conflicting claimants. UNIT NUMBER: AY-123 NOTICE OF HEARING HEARING DATE: March 17, 2015 PLACE: Russell County Conference Center 135 Highlands Drive Lebanon, Virginia 24266 TIME: 9:00 AM COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA: To: Swords Creek Land Partnership; Charles D. Lawson, et al including Alice Webb Owens, Harry Whited, Elizabeth R. Whited Jones, Dolly Harsh, Debra Fooce, Mildred Jester, Rebecca Hickle, Sheila Mae Russell, Richard D. George, Sandra Owens Powers, Darlene Owens, Lisa Owens Westbrook, Sherry Owens Martin, Tonia Owens Gasquet, Sherry Southard, Keith Owens, Kelley Owens, Kimberly Hardin-LeCroy, Darlene (Vergial) Owens c/o Kristie L. Alvarez POA, Oma Smith, Herman Albert Owens, Freda Toner, Kile Dellinger Whited, Jr., Julia Whited, Tracy Whited, Scott Whited, Kelly Whited, Garland David Whited, Mack Arthur Whited, Barbara Ellen Holcomb, Bonnie Sue Wymer, Dora Ellen Nicodemus, Charlie Felix Whited, Nannie Vee Whited, John Henry Whited, Glenda Kathy Harsh, Christy Lewis, Floyd G. Owens, Connie L. Bennett, Angelina Owens Pack, Lori Larkins, Valerie Ann Smith, Ellen May Owens, Charidy Eve Terpening, Carla Spires, Molly Beth Henry, Amanda Renea Marler, Unknown Heirs of Cleo Cox (Ocie), Barbara Ellen Owens, Roma Gayle Elkins, Charlie F. Lawson, John C. Lawson, Leeomia Lawson, Kimberly Lawson, Tina Beth Altizer, Wanda Carol Lawson, Donna Elaine Whittington, AAA Rentals & Storage, LLC, Cecil Lawson, Jr., Linda Barrett, Arthur Larry Lawson, Dennis Wayne Lawson, Melissa R. Lawson, Randall Lee Lawson, Keith Alvin Lawson, Angela Thomas, Warren K. Long, Michael K. Spiva, Alice Albert, Daniel Ray Tucker, Daniel L. Keen, Raymond Slate, Jr., Jeffery Wayne Slate, Shelia Gail Slate Lofton, Jackie Dale Slate, Emma Childress, Judy R. Childress, Shelby Jean Barton, Earlene (Graham) Bartin, Geraldine (Dallas) Hubbard, Donna Kay Whited, Jeffery Childress, Ernest Childress, Jr., Norma Judy McKinney, Rita Carol Jackson, Linda Sharon Jackson, Grover J. Jackson, Victoria Lynn Hyatt, Trevert Vance, Lorraine Vance, Harvey Vance, Kenneth Vance, Danny Vance, Leslie Vance, Jacqueline Hill, Linda Guill, Trudale (Paul) Ringstaff, Dorothy Vance, Carolyn Vance Flinchem, Ershell Vance, Nella Vance, James Michael Christian, Neely William Christian, Joyce C. Jarrett, Sue C. Tibbs; Steven Wayne Robinson; Gladys Irene Miller; Joann Richardson; Ralph Childress, et al including Ralph Childress, Nancy Carol Ball, Nell Fern Stallard, David Wylie Keen, Vernie Lewis Keen, Howell Preston Keen, Debora G. Keen, (Oma) Jane Keen Ferebee, Eunice Beatrice Ray, Robert Elden Keen, Alfred Lee Keen, Ella Mae Vandyke, John Preston Eichelberger, Sarah Boyd Tankersley, Ralph Roten, Jessie Miller, Linda Miller, Vicki Myers, Donald Myers, Alan Myers, Jean Miller, Lois Briggs, Jessie Mildred Ward, Linda Keen, Chester Wiley Keen, Oris Thomas Keen, Carrie Dell Keen, Melinda Mayzell Sykes, Sylvia Loretta Withrow, Donny Sherman Keen, Shirley Arrington, Wilma Doretta Keen, Parson Junior Keen, Barbara Jean Harris, Jerome V. Meadows, Ronald Keene, Harley Keene, Mitchell Keene, James Keene, Thomas Dean Keen, John B. Keen, Stanley E. Keen, Francis Gaynell Street; Kenneth C. Miller, III, et ux; Commonwealth of Virginia; Gladys Irene Miller 1. Applicant and its counsel: Applicant is CNX Gas Company LLC, 2481 John Nash Blvd., Bluefield, West Virginia 24701, 304/323-6500. Applicant’s counsel is Mark A. Swartz, Hilliard & Swartz, LLP, 122 Capitol Street, FL 2, Charleston, WV 25301. 2. Relief sought: (1) Re-Pooling and (2) dismissal of the Respondents named in this paragraph 2 as respondents and as conflicting claimaints, but only to the extent they are not parties to a royalty split agreement(s): Swords Creek Land Partnership (regarding tracts 1D, 1G, 2C as listed on Exhibit B-2); Charles D. Lawson, et al including Alice Webb Owens, Harry Whited, Elizabeth R. Whited Jones, Dolly Harsh, Debra Fooce, Mildred Jester, Rebecca Hickle, Sheila Mae Russell, Richard D. George, Sandra Owens Powers, Darlene Owens, Lisa Owens Westbrook, Sherry Owens Martin, Tonia Owens Gasquet, Sherry Southard, Keith Owens, Kelley Owens, Kimberly Hardin-LeCroy, Darlene (Vergial) Owens c/o Kristie L. Alvarez POA, Oma Smith, Herman Albert Owens, Freda Toner, Kile Dellinger Whited, Jr., Julia Whited, Tracy Whited, Scott Whited, Kelly Whited, Garland David Whited, Mack Arthur Whited, Barbara Ellen Holcomb, Bonnie Sue Wymer, Dora Ellen Nicodemus, Charlie Felix Whited, Nannie Vee Whited, John Henry Whited, Glenda Kathy Harsh, Christy Lewis, Floyd G. Owens, Connie L. Bennett, Angelina Owens Pack, Lori Larkins, Valerie Ann Smith, Ellen May Owens, Charidy Eve Terpening, Carla Spires, Molly Beth Henry, Amanda Renea Marler, Unknown Heirs of Cleo Cox (Ocie), Barbara Ellen Owens, Roma Gayle Elkins, Charlie F. Lawson, John C. Lawson, Leeomia Lawson, Kimberly Lawson, Tina Beth Altizer, Wanda Carol Lawson, Donna Elaine Whittington, AAA Rentals & Storage, LLC, Cecil Lawson, Jr., Linda Barrett, Arthur Larry Lawson, Dennis Wayne Lawson, Melissa R. Lawson, Randall Lee Lawson, Keith Alvin Lawson, Angela Thomas, Warren K. Long, Michael K. Spiva, Alice Albert, Daniel Ray Tucker, Daniel L. Keen, Raymond Slate, Jr., Jeffery Wayne Slate, Shelia Gail Slate Lofton, Jackie Dale Slate, Emma Childress, Judy R. Childress, Shelby Jean Barton, Earlene (Graham) Bartin, Geraldine (Dallas) Hubbard, Donna Kay Whited, Jeffery Childress, Ernest Childress, Jr., Norma Judy McKinney, Rita Carol Jackson, Linda Sharon Jackson, Grover J. Jackson, Victoria Lynn Hyatt, Trevert Vance, Lorraine Vance, Harvey Vance, Kenneth Vance, Danny Vance, Leslie Vance, Jacqueline Hill, Linda Guill, Trudale (Paul) Ringstaff, Dorothy Vance, Carolyn Vance Flinchem, Ershell Vance, Nella Vance, James Michael Christian, Neely William Christian, Joyce C. Jarrett, Sue C. Tibbs (regarding tracts 3A & 3C as listed on Exhibit B-2) 3. Proposed provisions of order: (a) Pooling all the interests and estates of the persons named above in the coalbed methane in and/or produced from the unit in question; (b) dismissing the respondents/coal owners named at paragraph 2 above and their conflicting claims, but only to the extent they are not subject to a split agreement(s); (c) Establishing a procedure whereby each respondent shall have the right to make elections; (d) Providing that any respondent who does not make a timely election shall be deemed to have leased or assigned his coalbed methane gas interests to the applicant at a rate to be established by the Board; (e) Designating CNX Gas Company LLC as Unit Operator; (f) Making any necessary provisions for the escrow of funds; (g) Granting such other relief as is merited by the evidence and is just and equitable, whether or not such relief has been specifically requested herein. 4. Legal Authority: Va. Code Ann. ?45.1-361.1 et seq., specifically including without limitation by reason of enumeration ?? 45.1-361.13, 45.1-361.14.B, 45.1-361.15.A.3, B.2, B.10, B.12,361.19.A., 45.1-361.21:1, 45.1-361.22.1, .5; 4 VAC 25-160-10 et seq.; Swords Creek Land Partnership v. Belcher, et al., #131590, September 12, 2014; and relevant Virginia Gas and Oil Board Orders heretofore promulgated pursuant to law including OGCB 3-90; VGOB-91-1119-162; VGOB 92/02/16-0336; and VGOB 93/03/16-0349. 5. Type of well(s): Coalbed methane. 6. Plat: Annexed hereto are Exhibit A, Exhibit A1 and the Tract Identifications for Exhibit A. The Plat shows the size and shape of the unit and the boundaries of the tracts within the unit. The Tract Identification page shows the percentage of acreage in each tract. The plat is certified by a licensed professional engineer and is attested by the undersigned on behalf of the applicant to be in conformity with existing orders issued by the Board. 7. Your interest or claim sought to be repooled by this Application pertains to coalbed methane gas. 8. Formation(s) to be produced and estimates: All coal seams and associated strata below the Tiller seam of coal all as more particularly described in the annexed proposed order. The estimated total production from subject unit is 125 to 550 MMCF. The estimated amount of reserves from the subject drilling unit is 125 to 550 MMCF. These figures concerning estimated production and the amount of reserves are, however, estimates only that are not based upon actual production and should not be relied upon for any purpose. It should not be assumed that final production before plugging and abandonment will equal estimated reserves. 9. Estimate of allowable costs: $601,080.92; (AY123 $241,775.92 & AY123A $359,305.00) 10. Attestation: The foregoing Notice to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief is true and correct. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that this cause has been set for hearing and the taking of evidence before the Board at 9:00 AM, on March 17, 2015, at the Russell County Government Conference Center, 139 Highlands Drive, Lebanon, Virginia 24266, and that notice will be published as required by law and the Rules of the Board. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that you may attend this hearing, with or without an attorney, and offer evidence or state any comments you have. For further information or a copy of the Application and Exhibits, either contact the Virginia Gas and Oil Board, State Oil and Gas Inspector, Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, the Division of Gas and Oil, 135 Highland Drive, Lebanon, Virginia 24266, 276/415-9650 or the Applicant at the address shown below. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any coal owner identified at paragraph 2 above who does not appear at the said hearing and provide the Board with evidence and/or a credible theory/argument that he/she/it has a good faith basis under existing law to claim an interest in the coalbed methane produced from the Unit, is subject to dismissal as a pooled respondent and as a conflicting claimant to coalbed methane royalties, working interest and/or carried interest. DATED: Friday, February 13, 2015. CNX GAS COMPANY LLC BY ITS PROFESSIONAL MANAGER CNX GAS COMPANY LLC, PETITIONER By: Anita D. Duty Pooling Supervisor CNX Land LLC 2481 John Nash Blvd. Bluefield, WV 24701