The expiration of an oil and gas lease’s primary term does not necessarily release all non-producing lands. This can be so even when the lease contains a Pugh Clause. Typically, most leases contain savings provisions that extend the lease beyond
J Mark Robinette, Attorney Blog
The J Mark Robinette, Attorney Blog, published by J. Mark Robinette, focuses on legal issues related to oil and gas law, particularly in Arkansas. Topics include oil and gas lease terms and clauses such as Pugh clauses and savings provisions, regulatory actions by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission, eminent domain and condemnation related to pipeline gathering systems, hydraulic fracturing regulations and disclosure requirements, seismic activity concerns linked to disposal wells, and the administrative process of integration or compulsory pooling of mineral interests. The blog addresses both statutory and case law developments, regulatory hearings, and practical implications for mineral owners, operators, and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
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Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Issues Emergency Order Shutting Down Disposal Wells in Earthquake Zone
In a brief hearing to confirm a consent administrative order, the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC) reached an agreement with the operators of two disposal wells in the Enola Swarm seismic zone to immediatley cease disposal operations. The wells were located…
Arkansas Supreme Court Revisits Law on Pipeline Gathering System Condemnation and "Statutory Pugh Clause"
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled against landowners who challenged to the authority of a gas gathering system to use the power of eminent domain to acquire rights of way. In Ralph Loyd Martin Revocable Trust v. Arkansas Midstream Gas Services Corp., a landowner…
Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Approves Hydraulic Fracturing Rule, Places Moratorium on Enola Swarm Disposal Wells, Rules in Favor of Operators on Mineral Owner Contested Dockets
At its December meeting, the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission adopted proposed rule B-19 to disclose the constituents of hydraulic fracturing fluids. There was little fanfare and little debate on the adoption of the rule. Representatives of CARE, The League…
Integration necessary and no cause for concern for mineral owners
Occasionally, I receive questions from people who are upset because they got a letter from a lawyer for an oil and gas company stating that the oil and gas company applied to the Oil and Gas Commission to integrate their…
Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Puts Hydraulic Fracturing Disclosure Rule Up for Comment
Following Wyoming’s lead, on September 28, 2010, the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission initiated a rulemaking to require producers to disclose the constituents of hydraulic fracturing fluid. The proposed rule B-19 is up for public comment, and if adopted, it…
EPA Rulemaking for Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals Progresses
The EPA is nearing the end of a lengthy saga to regulate coal combustion residuals also commonly known as “fly ash.” The EPA issued a proposed rule on June 21, 2010, and began a series of nationwide hearings to receive…
Recent Wind Leasing Activity in Arkansas
It surprised me to learn that a commercial wind generation project exists in Arkansas. David Smith gave a lengthy write up of the project in the August 22, 2010, Democrat Gazette. TradeWind Energy proposes to erect 165 foot tall wind…
Finder’s Fees and "Lost" Mineral Rights in Arkansas–What to Know When You’ve Agreed to an Heir or Property Finding Contract.
In tough economic times such as these, a letter like this in the mail provides welcome news:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am with a company that helps others find lost property. This is an expensive and time consuming undertaking and it…