Pa. homeowners net $1.2M in gas-drilling royalties

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A leading company drilling on the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation in Pennsylvania says it handed out nearly $1.2 million in royalty checks last week.

Range Resources Corp. spokesman Matt Pitzarella said Monday the distribution is the first significant royalty the company has paid from its 120-plus Marcellus shale wells.

People in the exploration industry say they haven't yet heard of such a large distribution of royalties from Marcellus shale gas wells in Pennsylvania.

The money went to 31 landowners who have wells on or near their land and live near Range's gas-processing plant about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh.

Pitzarella wouldn't identify them, although he says one farmer received a check for more than $357,000.

The landowners were paid for production in November and December.