Pa. Family Sues to Terminate Lease at End of Primary 5-Year Term

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania family has sued to terminate a shale gas drilling lease at the end of its primary, five-year term, contending that they had written and verbal assurances to that effect at the time the lease was signed. Maley, et al. v. Shell Western Exploration and Production, LP, et al., No. 4:11-cv-02358-CCC (M.D. Pa.).

John C. Maley, his wife and his parents filed the action in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on Dec. 20, accusing East Resources Inc. and other defendants of fraud, negligence and conspiracy.

Maley, who says he suffered cognitive …