[Milton Miteybad]

Don’t know much about the energy business, but if the hydrocarbons under that land are so valuable, why didn’t Exxon or Phillips 66 or Bill Gates or Warren Buffett buy it first?

In order of presentation:

Exxon: Already has unconventional shale liquids exposure through its acquisition of XTO Energy.

Phillips 66: Actually a refiner, not an E & P concern.

Bill Gates: You're kidding, right?

Warren Buffett: Isn't in the E & P biz. Somewhat surprisingly, the list of companies owned by Berkshire Hathaway shows no E & P concerns listed at all.

[MichaelCorleone]

Re: post #8

I was just using Gates’ and Exxon’s name to mean people and/or corporations with the means to buy the land and invest the money to get to those resources.