Petroleum and natural gas drilling and refining are of crucial importance to the economy of Oklahoma and require court intervention to protect the industry, property owners, leaseholders and members of the public. At Long, Claypole & Blakley Law, LLC in Enid, our knowledge of oil and gas law gives us a full understanding of the multiple issues that can arise and the perspectives of all parties to a controversy, allowing us to advise our clients how to avoid unnecessary problems, negotiate for them when disputes arise and litigate for them when those disputes cannot be resolved amicably.
We are experienced in handling a wide variety of petroleum and natural gas disputes, including:
We regularly counsel clients who face the potential of litigation, negotiating resolutions to problems that will avoid lawsuits and, when necessary, representing them effectively in court, whether they are plaintiffs or defendants.
Energy companies typically lease from owners of the mineral rights the permission to remove oil and gas in the land they drill. The well operator pays the owner royalties — portions of the value of the oil and gas extracted. The amount of royalties is generally based on the product’s value at the point of marketability, without deducting the cost of extracting it or making it marketable. However, the royalty owner may be required to pay a proportional share of the cost of transporting it from the wellhead to the point of sale. Whether oil or gas is marketable at the wellhead and, if not, when it becomes marketable, are fact-intensive issues that can spawn disputes between the lessor and lessee of the mineral rights. We can help our clients determine whether or not they are paying or receiving the right amount of royalties, and represent them in lawsuits over the issue.
Drilling operations often cause damage to the surface of the land. Under Oklahoma law, oil and gas operators must give notice of their intent to drill a well to anyone with an interest in the surface rights where they intend to drill. They must also post a bond and negotiate in good faith with surface owners for the payment of compensation for any such damages. If the parties do not agree on the amount due, the damages must be appraised and, if the parties still do not agree, the issue may have to go to court. We try to achieve alternative dispute resolution but are prepared to litigate when necessary to achieve a just result,
Long, Claypole & Blakley Law, PLC advises and advocates for Oklahomans on all issues related to oil and gas litigation. Please call 580-599-0191 or contact us online to make an appointment for a consultation at our Enid office.