In Ammonite Oil & Gas Corp. v. R.R. Comm’n of Tex., the Texas Supreme Court held that the Railroad Commission (the “RRC”) did not abuse its discretion in denying a “muscle in” application under the Texas Mineral Interest...more
This article focuses on the state of Texas law regarding wellbore rights and various related issues raised by transactions involving such rights (and other similar lease severance issues) and provides some practical tips to...more
Let’s assume you own 165 acres in Tioga County. In 2019, you sign a new oil and gas lease with ABC Drilling. You negotiate an 18% net royalty. The royalty clause, however, requires ABC Drilling to calculate the royalty on...more
On February 15, 2023, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal of PennEnergy Resources, LLC in the Dressler Family, LP v. PennEnergy Resources, LLC matter. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s review of this...more
Holders of royalties in oil and gas and other minerals should take note of the recent decision of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench in Manitok Energy Inc. (Re), 2018 ABQB 488 [Manitok], in which the Alberta Court followed...more
In August 2017, we wrote about an opinion from the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Second Circuit in the matter of Gloria’s Ranch, L.L.C. v. Tauren Exploration, Inc. The Louisiana Supreme Court recently issued a highly anticipated...more
The Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit, in Rainbow Gun Club, Inc., et al. v. Denbury Resources, Inc., et al., recently affirmed a trial court ruling that imposed liability on SKH Energy Partnership, LP (SKH), a...more
Dominion to Start Cove Point LNG Exports Early March - "Dominion Energy said it expects to start exporting liquefied natural gas from its Cove Point terminal in Maryland, the second U.S. facility to produce LNG from shale...more
An Obscure Statute Is Helping Trump Save U.S. Coal, Nuclear - "Rick Perry is using an authority granted to him as U.S. energy secretary to call on the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to change its rules...more
On May 31, 2017, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued a significant opinion regarding the clarification of rights for non-participating royalty interest owners (“NPRI”). In the opinion Gastar Exploration, Inc. v....more
I can acquire a 2,000-acre lease in Ritchie County, West Virginia, held by production from one well, drilled in 1905. I can acquire a 100-acre lease with an affidavit of nonproduction from an individual who has owned...more