What entity is most likely to seek compulsory pooling in West Virginia?

The entity that is most likely to seek compulsory pooling in West Virginia is an oil and gas leaseholder. This process occurs when a leaseholder wishes to increase the efficiency of resource extraction by allowing for resource development across a larger area, even if not all the mineral rights holders are willing to participate in the development. Compulsory pooling becomes a useful tool for leaseholders because it enables them to consolidate the rights to drill and produce oil or gas when there are multiple owners of the subsurface rights, which can complicate operations and reduce efficiency.

The leaseholder's goal is often to access and develop resources that lie beneath properties owned by different individuals or entities. By seeking compulsory pooling, they can mitigate the challenges posed by fragmented ownership and ensure that the extraction is economically viable while also considering the interests of those who may be unwilling to lease their mineral rights voluntarily. This legal mechanism protects the economic interests and operational capabilities of the leaseholders, making them the most likely to initiate the process.