Court Awards Summary Judgment to Firm Accused of Improperly Sealing Wells

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal judge has granted a drilling company’s motion for summary judgment on claims that it negligently cemented and sealed hydraulic “fracking” wells, saying the plaintiff landowners failed to provide sufficient evidence of wrongful acts by the defendant. Hagy, et al. v. Equitable Production Co., et al., No. 2:10-cv-01372 (S.D. W.Va.).

The June 29 order by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia to dismiss all claims against BJ Services Company USA, the last remaining defendant in the environmental action filed by landowners Dennis and Tamera Hagy.

The Hagys complained that hydraulic fracking …