Chesapeake Appalachia Sees No Basis for Tort Claim in Lease Extension Suit

PITTSBURGH — Chesapeake Appalachia LLC has asked a federal court to dismiss landowners’ tort claim from a lawsuit over consideration of a lease extension, arguing that plaintiffs have not alleged any intent to harm on the part of Chesapeake or that the drilling company was aware of other potential offers for the mineral rights.

Chesapeake filed its motion for partial dismissal of the landowners’ suit on Aug. 8, arguing that the plaintiffs’ tort claim in what is otherwise a contract action fails to state a claim under Federal Rule 12(b)(6).

Robert G. and Nancy L. Briggs do not challenge …