Ohio Judge Issues Injunction Prohibiting Well Construction
A Belmont County Common Pleas Court judge recently issued a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against Oxford Oil Company prohibiting the company from constructing a well pad on a landowner’s property. According to court documents, the company had plans to construct an entrance and well pad on the property on December 11, 2012, but could not reach an agreement with the landowners regarding the location of the well pad. The landowners filed suit in December, and were granted injunctive relief temporarily stopping the construction plans.
Like many other “lease busting” lawsuits, the landowners also claim that the lease is void due to improper notarization and accuse the company of withholding information regarding the development of the Marcellus and Utica Shale that would have impacted their decision to agree to the lease in 2008.