U.S. Supreme Court Denies Certiorari on Illinois Oil & Gas CaseBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2021The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied a writ of certiorari in a case in which the validity of a regulatory takings claim by reason of the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act was at issue.
Illinois 2020 Oil ProductionMineral Law, March 2021Charts of Illinois oil production in 2020 from the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board.
Status of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Methane RulesBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2021The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued two final rules related to the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the oil and gas industry. These new rules were challenged by various states, including Illinois.
A Word of Caution on ComminglesBy Matthew L. McArthyMineral Law, March 2021When a commingle takes place without consent of the other owners, the operator is taking the risk of any of the other owners objecting to such commingle and demanding an accounting for their interest.
Appellate Court Applies Principles of Deed Construction to Coal DeedBy John H. HendersonMineral Law, December 2020The appellate court engaged in a very fact-specific analysis of the deeds at the center of Mitchell/Roberts Partnership v. Williamson Energy and determined that subsidence rights were conveyed with each parcel conveyed by each deed at issue in the case.
Transfer of Minerals by Out-of-State Intestate Resident Upon DeathBy Matthew L. McArthy & Justin R. JohnsonTrusts and Estates, November 2020A look at how a title examiner deals with the issues that arise when an out-of-state resident passes away owning minerals in Illinois.
Fossil Fuels and the California BlackoutsBy Seth WhiteheadMineral Law, September 2020Environmental groups continue to aggressively pressure lawmakers at the state and national levels to mandate a rapid transition to 100 percent renewable electricity generation and an all-electric vehicle fleet.
IDNR Revisions to Spacing and Location of WellsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, September 2020The Illinois Department of Natural Resources/Office of Oil & Gas Resource Management has made significant revisions as to how oil wells are spaced and located.
2020: Rough Times for the Coal IndustryBy John H. HendersonMineral Law, June 2020A look at the general health of and outlook for the Illinois coal industry in 2020.
Principle of Equity Applied to Tax Sale of MineralsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2020In TheFayette County County Treasurer v. Dome Tax Service Co., Inc., the appellate court considered a case involving the tax sale of a mineral interest where the supervisor of assessments had previously incorrectly entered the name and address of the owner in its tax system.
Pipeline Easement Conflicts With Mining OperationsBy David M. WilliamsMineral Law, March 2020The recent appellate case, Super Mix of Wisconsin, Inc., & Jack Pease v. Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, LLC, involves the mining of sand and gravel that conflicted with an existing gas pipeline and easement.
The Rule of Capture: Pennsylvania DecisionBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2020The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently overturned the appellate court's decision in Briggs v. Southwestern Energy Production Co.
Transfer of Minerals by Out-of-State Intestate Resident Upon DeathBy Matthew L. McArthy & Justin R. JohnsonMineral Law, March 2020A look at how a title examiner deals with the issues that arise when an out-of-state resident passes away owning minerals in Illinois.
USEPA Considers Emission Standards for MethaneBy Craig R. HedinEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2020The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's one-size-fits-all approach with respect to all oil and natural gas operators in the United States has a disproportional impact on conventional operations such as those in Illinois where the norm is low production wells and small business operators.
Oil & Gas Regulatory RevisionsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2019A summary of recent revisions to the Regulations of the Oil and Gas Act.
Stratigraphy Issues in the Permitting ProcessBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2019The Illinois Department of Natural Resources/Office of Oil and Gas Resource Management recently decided to require that applications and reporting forms refer to stratigraphic formations in the manner as identified and stated in Illinois State Geological Survey Bulletin 95 published in 1975.
USEPA Considers Emission Standards for MethaneBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2019The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's one-size-fits-all approach with respect to all oil and natural gas operators in the United States has a disproportional impact on conventional operations such as those in Illinois where the norm is low production wells and small business operators.
