W.Va. Litigants Dispute Whether Single ‘Nominal’ Well Binds Lease for 350 Acres

WHEELING, W.Va. — Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and a second drilling company are defending a lawsuit challenging the validity of a lease to mineral rights under 350 acres in West Virginia on the basis of what plaintiff landowners say is a single, “nominal-producing” gas well. 4 Suns Ranch LLC v. Buckeye Oil Producing Co., et al., No. 5:12-cv-00110-FPS (N.D. W.Va.).

Defendants removed the action to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia July 13, asserting complete diversity between themselves and plaintiff 4 Suns Ranch LLC.

The plaintiff contends in an action filed June 13 in Hancock County …