Can an Oil and Gas Lease be Rejected in Bankruptcy?
No. 740 Babst Calland, a Pittsburgh law firm with a substantial energy law practice, has posed a great question on their blog. Can a landowner reject an oil and gas lease as an executory contract under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code? But why would a landowner want to do so? At the present time, [...]
Dear Free Lawyer — Answers To Legal Questions For Nothin’.
No. 729 Dear Free Lawyer: I have to make lots of trips to the bathroom due to one of those conditions that come with age. Am I entitled to get unemployment as a door to door salesman because I can’t do my job? – Frequent Flyer Dear Frequent: Don’t count on it. For one thing, [...]
The Light Bulb Goes On . . .
No. 725 Aha Moment No. 725. Ann Althaus, the law prof from the University of Wisconsin who blogs a lot more about politics than law, quotes a WSJ blog about a prosecution of some oil and gas companies over a bird kill in North Dakota involving 28 avians. She then wonders out loud whether wind [...]
Marcellus Shell Games.
With over 150 years of experience in gas production, you would think that our region would be pretty comfortable with the subject. But apparently not. The recent boom in Marcellus Shale gas leasing and operation has stirred a lot of controversy. South Fayette Township recently joined a growing list of municipalities that are adopting comprehensive ordinances seeking to regulate the industry within its borders. Although the State has comprehensive regulations which would seem to pre-empt local ordinances, the courts have permitted local regulation. And the City of Pittsburgh and, recently, Wilkinsburg Borough have entirely banned Marcellus drilling from their jurisdiction. This is due to environmental concerns, including fears that fracking fluids will pollute our drinking water.
Westmoreland County Suit Against Rex Energy, Inc. Settled.
No. 658 A group of landowners who executed leases with Rex Energy, Inc. have reached a settlement on their claims for bonuses on leases which the driller had obtained but never accepted. Many leases, not just those from Rex, were written in such a way that the lessee could accept or reject the lease after [...]
Will the person who contacted me with oil and gas question please try again?
No. 558 I picked up an email question through the contact box (right margin, scroll down a bit) about oil and gas leasing. I wrote a reply, but it bounced back, apparently due to and error in the email address. Contact me again with an improved email address and I will send the answer.