A:  The sign-on bonus refers to the "up-front money" paid to the owner of the mineral rights in consideration for signing an oil and gas lease.  The royalty in an oil & gas lease is the stated percentage share of production, or the value derived from production, attributable to the leased premises, pursuant to the terms of the lease.

 

A:  The Haynesville Shale is still a young field so the exact well-life is still uncertain, but many engineers and geologists believe the average well could produce upwards to 10-15 years or more.  A well will have the highest production in the first year, and then there will be a decline in the subsequent years.