Federal Court Allows BP's Motion for Protective Order in Okla. Drilling Dispute

OKLAHOMA CITY - An Oklahoma federal judge has granted a motion by BP America Production Co. to restrict access to discovery information sought by a landowner in a dispute over a mineral lease. Smallwood v. BP America Production Co., et al., No. CIV-10-182-JHP (E.D. Okla.).

The protective order issued by Judge Kimberly E. West on March 8 prevents the disclosure of such discovery information to third-parties identified by BP as competitors in the procurement of drilling rights in the Red Oak/Brazil formation.

The discovery dispute arose in a lawsuit brought by Joe M. Smallwood, trustee of a family trust, …