FRONTIER LAW
ACQUISITIONS
Protecting Landowners in Energy Exploration & Development Acquisitions Across British Columbia
Protecting Landowners in Energy Exploration & Development Acquisitions Across British Columbia
Based in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Frontier Law, in partnership with KMSC Law LLP, represents landowners and grazing leaseholders when oil, gas, and energy companies seek access to private land or Crown grazing leases.
If you have been approached about a Transmission Line, Single or Multi-Well Pad, or Pipeline, our team help can help you understand your rights, protect your land and water, secure strong agreements for today and the future, and ensure you are properly compensated.
Importantly, all associated legal fees are paid by the operator.
Why Work with Frontier Law
- Local knowledge, province-wide service. We are based in Fort St. John and act for landowners across British Columbia, with deep experience in the Peace Region.
- Land-first approach. We prioritize soil, water, access, fencing, livestock safety, agricultural land use, and reclamation to protect your land’s value and use.
- Strong agreements. We negotiate comprehensive surface leases, right-of-entry orders, right-of-way agreements, and related documents that will stand up over time.
- Fair compensation. We secure payment not just for initial entry, but for ongoing operations, interruptions, renewals, and damages.
- No out-of-pocket legal fees. Our negotiations ensure that all associated legal fees are paid by the operator.
Photo: Kevin MacLellan
Clear, Practical Guidance for Landowners and Leaseholders
Energy acquisitions of your surface rights by industry can move quickly. We make the process straightforward, explain your options in plain language, and assist in negotiations with the operator so you feel informed and in control. Whether you own land or hold a grazing lease, we negotiate terms that provide protection for your land, your family, and your long-term plans.
Our focus areas include:
Transmission Lines
Transmission line projects can affect fields, aerial spraying, shelterbelts as well as current and future land use. We negotiate:
- Tower and pole placement to avoid prime areas and reduce fragmentation
- Right-of-way widths, vegetation management, and access restrictions
- Compensation for initial access, structures, aerial restrictions, and ongoing maintenance
- Safety and liability provisions, including equipment height and crossing standards
- Reclamation, reseeding, and weed control commitments
Single and Multi-Well Pads
Well sites affect operations during pad construction, drilling, production, and beyond. For both single and multi-well pads, we focus on:
- Pad siting to avoid wetlands, springs and productive soils, as well as to maintain safe distances from residences and other improvements
- Noise and light controls, traffic management, and dust suppression
- Water sourcing and disposal, including spill prevention and monitoring
- Issues relating to pipelines and flowlines that may be tied in to the pad
- Payment structures for surface rentals, escalations, renewals, site expansions, and multi-well impacts
Pipelines
Pipelines permanently affect land use. We ensure:
- Optimal routing to avoid impacts and keep future development options open
- Construction methods that protect topsoil and drainage
- Depth, crossing standards, and clear maps for future reference
- Emergency shut down valve sites, and access provisions that minimize disruption
- Compensation for crop loss, disturbance, and future maintenance
- Weed management, reseeding, and long-term monitoring commitments
Protecting Your Property and Operation
Every project is different, but our approach stays consistent: we safeguard your property, reduce disruption, and protect your rights.
We address:
- Access routes, timing, and traffic controls to minimize interference with cropping, haying, and livestock
- Environmental protections, including: topsoil handling, drainage, and erosion control
- Fencing, gates, and biosecurity protocols to protect livestock and prevent the spread of noxious weeds
- Noise, light, and dust management
- Construction standards, cleanup obligations, and clear reclamation criteria.
- Damages for crop loss, compaction, nuisance, and operational impacts.
Our Process
- Initial consultation. We review the operator’s requests and your goals. We explain your rights and outline a path forward.
- Due diligence. We assess proposed locations, survey plans, environmental risks, and operational impacts.
- Negotiation. We handle all communications with the operator to secure strong terms and full compensation, while reviewing each offer with you.
- Agreement review. We ensure the documents reflect negotiated protections and comply with applicable requirements.
- Oversight and follow-up. We help with damage claims, access issues, and reclamation until the work is complete and beyond.
Fair Compensation, Paid on Time
Compensation should reflect the true impact on your land and operations. We pursue:
- Entry fees, disturbance payments, and ongoing rentals.
- Crop loss, compaction, and nuisance damages, with clear rates and timelines.
- Additional payments for multi-well development, expansions, renewals, and increased traffic.
- Reimbursement for all associated legal and other professional fees, paid by the operator.
Serving Landowners Across British Columbia
Frontier Law assists landowners and grazing leaseholders throughout British Columbia, with a particular focus on the Peace Region. We represent clients in:
- Fort St. John
- Dawson Creek
- Halfway River
- Charlie Lake
- Prespatou
- Rose Prairie
- Goodlow
- Clayhurst
- Farmington
- Groundbirch
- Doe River
- Rolla
Whether your land is near Fort St. John or elsewhere in BC, we are ready to help with Transmission Lines, Single and Multi-Well Pads, and Pipelines, along with any other energy developments on your land.
Approachable, Experienced, On Your Side
You do not need to sign the first documents presented to you. We make sure you understand every clause and how it affects your land today and years from now. Our role is to anticipate issues, close gaps, and give you peace of mind.
When to Call Us
- You have been contacted about a new or expanded Transmission Line, Single or Multi-Well Pad, or Pipeline on your privately owned land or grazing lease.
- You want a second opinion on compensation or terms.
- You want protections tailored to protect your crops, livestock, fencing, and water.
Contact Frontier Law
If you have been approached by an operator who wishes to access your land for exploration or development or been given documents to sign by an operator, contact Frontier Law before you agree to – or sign – anything. We will review the proposal with you, explain your options, and negotiate terms that protect your land and secure proper compensation. All associated legal fees are paid by the operator.
Call us today to schedule a consultation or request more information. We serve landowners and leaseholders across British Columbia, with a strong focus on the Peace River Region, including Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Halfway River, Charlie Lake, Prespatou, Rose Prairie, Goodlow, Clayhurst, Farmington, Groundbirch, Doe River, and Rolla.
Frontier Law — your partner in safeguarding your land, livelihood, and future in British Columbia’s energy development.
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At Frontier Law, we ensure you have all of the relevant information needed to make good decisions.
Our Team is available to discuss your personal and business legal needs.