FRONTIER LAW
SURFACE RIGHTS
Protecting Your Land in BC Energy Development.
Trusted help for landowners and grazing leaseholders across British Columbia, based in Fort St. John.
When oil, gas, or other energy companies want access to your private land or Crown grazing lease, you deserve clear guidance, strong protection, and fair compensation. Frontier Law, working in partnership with KMSC Law LLP, helps landowners and leaseholders across British Columbia—especially in the Peace River Region—navigate surface rights issues tied to transmission lines, well sites, pipelines, access roads, facilities, compressor stations, and more.
Our approach is practical and land-first. We explain your options in plain language, negotiate solid agreements, and pursue compensation for rent and damages. In most matters, your legal fees are paid by the operator.
What We Do: Surface Rights Services for Landowners and Leaseholders.
We act exclusively for landowners and grazing leaseholders when energy development is proposed or already on the ground.
Whether you are in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Halfway River, Charlie Lake, Prespatou, Rose Prairie, Goodlow, Clayhurst, Farmington, Groundbirch, Doe River, Rolla, or anywhere else in BC, we’re ready to help.
Explore our Surface Rights services and learn what to expect at each step:
- Land Access, Acquisitions, and Negotiations: If you have been approached about a new transmission line, single or multi-well padsite, or pipeline, we negotiate terms that protect your land, water, access, fencing, livestock, and future plans—while securing fair compensation and comprehensive agreements. Learn more here.
- Damages Claims for On- and Off-Lease Impacts: If energy activity has caused flooding, erosion, crop loss, soil compaction, nuisance, weeds, or other damages on or beyond the lease area, we pursue full compensation through negotiation and, if needed, the Surface Rights Board process. Learn more here.
- Surface Lease Rent Reviews: If you have a surface lease for a well pad, facility, access road, or other infrastructure, you may be entitled to a rent increase. We time and manage rent reviews to reflect current impacts and preserve retroactive adjustments. Learn more here.
- Unpaid Rent for Orphan Oil and Gas Sites: If the operator has gone out of business, can no longer be located, or has simply stopped paying their rent, we pursue overdue and ongoing rent for you through the BC Energy Regulator’s orphan site program. Learn more here.
Photo: Darcy Shawchek
How Fees Work: Operator Pays or No Win, No Fee
We structure files so you are not out of pocket for legal fees.
- Acquisitions and negotiations: We seek to have all associated legal fees paid by the operator.
- Rent reviews: In rent reviews, legal fees are paid by the operator.
- Damages claims: We pursue your reasonable legal and expert costs from the operator.
- Unpaid rent for orphan sites: We work on contingency—no win, no fee.
Before you sign anything, talk to us. A short call can save time, money, and headaches later.
Energy Infrastructure We Cover
Pre- and post-construction, we can assist you with any oil, gas, or energy development located on the surface of privately owned land or grazing leases, including:
- Transmission lines
- Single and multi-well pads
- Access roads
- Riser sites
- Facilities
- Compressor stations
- Pipelines
If you are unsure what the proposed project involves, we will explain it to you, assess the impacts, and outline your options.
Our Approach: Practical Protection, Fair Compensation
Every property is different. We tailor protections to your land, water sources, and operation:
- Siting and layout to avoid pinch points, home quarters, dugouts, and productive soils
- Safe access, traffic management, dust control, and seasonal timing that respects rural life, farm and ranch work
- Clear standards for topsoil handling, drainage, erosion control, reseeding, and noxious weed management
- Fencing, gates, and biosecurity to protect livestock and prevent weed spread
- Noise, light, and nuisance controls that work in the real world
- Strong documentation for rentals, crop loss, disturbance, and reclamation
Why Landowners Choose Frontier Law
- Local knowledge, province-wide service: We understand northern operations, seasonal realities, and how surface work affects crop and livestock production.
- Clear, approachable guidance: We explain your rights and options in plain language so you can make confident decisions.
- Strong agreements and outcomes: We focus on protections that last and compensation that reflects current and future impacts.
- Cost-effective strategy: We align your file so the operator pays your legal fees or we act on a no win, no fee basis where appropriate.
Where we Work
Frontier Law is based in Fort St. John and serves landowners and leaseholders across British Columbia. We have particular experience in the Peace River Region and regularly assist clients in:
- Fort St. John
- Dawson Creek
- Halfway River
- Charlie Lake
- Prespatou
- Rose Prairie
- Goodlow
- Clayhurst
- Farmington
- Groundbirch
- Doe River
- Rolla
Whether you farm, ranch, or hold a grazing lease in Northeastern British Columbia or elsewhere in BC, we can help with issues relating to the installation and development of transmission lines, well pads, pipelines, access roads, facilities, compressor stations, and other surface developments.
When to Call
- You have been contacted about a new or expanded transmission line, well pad, pipeline, road, facility, compressor station, or riser site.
- Rent feels inappropriately low or no longer accurately compensates for disturbance and loss of use.
- You have experienced damage on or off the lease as a result of the energy development, including flooding, erosion, crop loss, compaction, nuisance, severance, or access problems.
- Rent payments have stopped and/or the site may be orphaned.
What to Expect
- A free, no-pressure consultation to explore your situation
- The development of a plain-language plan tailored to your land and goals
- Professional handling of communication with the operator and regulators
- Timely updates and practical advice from start to finish
Ready to Protect Your Land and Your Rights?
If you have been approached by an energy company or are dealing with rent or damage issues today, contact Frontier Law for a free consultation. We will review your options, explain the process, and get to work.
Call Us or use our Contact Form to speak with a lawyer about your Surface Rights matter.
Frontier Law—your partner in safeguarding your land, livelihood, and future across British Columbia. Operator-paid legal fees or no win, no fee. Reach out today.
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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.