USEPA Releases Proposed Methane RuleBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2021On November 2, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed methane rule for the oil and gas industry.
IDNR Proposes Amendment to Spacing RegulationsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, September 2021The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has started the process to amend its rules regarding spacing requirement for oil wells.
Climate Change Litigation: Court Dismisses New York City CaseBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2021A summary and analysis of City of New York v. Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, PLC, and BP P.L.C.
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.
