W.Va. Supreme Court Affirms Cabot Oil's Right to Drill in State Park

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia's high court has affirmed a lower court decision to order the state environmental agency to grant oil and gas drilling permits in a public park, citing language in the 1960 deed retaining mineral rights for the seller's family. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. v. Huffman, et al., Nos. 35508, 35510 and 35511 (W.Va. Sup. Ct.).

The Supreme Court's Nov. 3 opinion affirming a lower court ruling in favor of Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. relied on language in the property deed and the lack of retroactive language in a 1961 statute establishing the park …