Chesapeake Appalachia Moves to Compel Arbitration of N.Y. Lease Disputes

BINGHAMPTON, N.Y. - Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and Statoil USA Onshore Properties Inc. have asked a federal judge to order arbitration of a dispute over mineral lease extensions that are disputed in two separate lawsuits by about 300 upstate New York landowners. Armstrong, et al. v. Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, et al., No. 3:11-cv-00489-NAM-ATB; Alexander, et al. v. Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, et al., No. 3:11-cv-00308-DNH-ATB (N.D. N.Y.).

The two defendants filed their motion on July 15, saying the majority of leases at issue in the two complaints include "a broad and unrestricted arbitration clause," that mandates arbitration of all disputes.

That clause …