Gas Company wants to install pipeline under my land; Please help!

[greasemonkeyok]

Per a crew chief, Natural Gas pipeline easements are costing the pipeline companies in East Texas upwards of $400 per rod. A rod is 16.5 feet. That ain't chicken feed.

Once installed, pipelines are like herpes - you may not notice them all the time but they never go away.

 

[RoyJackson]

Once installed, pipelines are like herpes - you may not notice them all the time but they never go away.

Yeah...and every now and then, they blow up...

 

[dodge man]

There is no doubt any easement "burdens" the property. Its really just a matter to what degree.

I'll just say I have worked on a lot of civil engineering projects over the 28 years I've been doing this. Non co-operative land owners are a fact of life. Most of the jobs I work on are for government. They aren't out to make a profit, just provide things for the public. Of course there is often people that object to a project, not matter how positive it is.

As a land owner, I can understand how frustrating it is to realize you don't really own your land free and clear, and that someone can come in and do things to it that you can't control. I'm sure the gas company isn't doing this for the heck of it and it is a necessary project. If not for these projects, we wouldn't have any water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, or any kind of utilities. I'm not saying you should just roll over and take less money than you can get, but look at the big picture for what the project really means.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm sure the gas company isn't doing this for the heck of it and it is a necessary project. If not for these projects, we wouldn't have any water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, or any kind of utilities. I'm not saying you should just roll over and take less money than you can get, but look at the big picture for what the project really means.

The bolded phrase is the salient point...is this necessary? Or, is it just so the company can increase sales/profits.
To me, that is not for the public good, hence does not fall under the criteria of eminent domain.

 

[johnk]

I went through this in a similar situation. You really can't win when they prove right of eminent domain. I lucked out though because they took a different route. Big business usually wins...

 

[two_bit_score]

Per a crew chief, Natural Gas pipeline easements are costing the pipeline companies in East Texas upwards of $400 per rod. A rod is 16.5 feet. That ain't chicken feed.

Once installed, pipelines are like herpes - you may not notice them all the time but they never go away.

That's not that much either. The width is the main thing with pipelines and limiting it to one pipe.

They are going you get it and you can be smart and get the bet deal cooperating or you can be a smartazzz and get a real screwing.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I'd suggest not doing a single sale of the rights; but for a percentage of their gross income. Income, not profits. And it should be for a minimum of the value you'd expect for use of that land, plus the easements on each side of it, for other purposes for the rest of your lives.

 

[dsaxman]

Does anyone know a really expensive Attorney in Texas that is qualified with pipeline ROW?

Sending you a PM with some info..

 

[ITHINKICAN]

Here is the initial proposal. Let it be known: 1.) My land is not for sale. 2.) The initial offer is low ball and unreasonable. If we don't get a reasonable offer exercise our rights: 1.) We will hire Appraisers. 2.) We will hire Attorneys. 3.) We will require a hearing before a court appointed panel. 4.) We will go to trial. 5.) We will appeal their decision if we are not satisfied.

TBN: Can you help me find these items in their agreement. I want to address them and make sure I haven't missed them somewhere in the fine print.

TBN: I'm interested in these items. 1.) We want to restrict all surface rights. 2.) We want to limit what they transport. 3.) We want allow only one single line. 4.) We want to enjoy our land as much as possible. 5.) We want to limit the hours of which they can enter our property. 6.) We want a defined timeline of when they will do the project. 7.) We want to restrict their activity to the easement only. 8.) We want to save some trees near their intended easement. 9.) We want to be held harmless against any damage to environment and environmental issues. 10.) We want to reserve the right to build ANY type of road or driveway across their easement. 11.) We want to be able to build a pond in close proximity. 12.) We want to restrict their ability to grant other easements within our easement area. 13.) We want compensation for any future disruption. 14.) We want abandonment defined. 15.) We want to restrict warning signs. 16.) We want them to warrant title searches etc. 17.) We want the right to move the pipeline. 18.) We want them to build their own driveway across the open trench. 19.) We want to restrict pressure through the line. 20.) We want to know their schedule for scheduled maintenance. 21.) We want to restrict assignees to comply with this agreement. 22.) We want the payment apportioned; selling vs damages. (damages are not income).

 

[tommu56]

One thing I forgot was leverage for no reassignment of the ROW.
If some one else buys the company they have to renegotiate I wasn't successful on this but its something to try for.

tom