Mineral Law

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Section on Mineral Law

ISBA Members, please login to join this section

2024 Articles

2025 Oil and Gas Assessment Schedule By Craig R. Hedin December 2024 The Supervisors of Assessments for oil and gas producing counties have met to approve the assessment schedule for 2025.
Appellate Court Applies Rules of Contract Interpretation to Underground Slurry Storage and Disposal Lease By John H. Henderson June 2024 In Campbell v. White County Coal, LLC, the appellate court engaged in a very fact-specific analysis of an underground slurry storage and disposal lease.
Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin December 2024 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?
Climate Change Litigation – States vs. States By Craig R. Hedin October 2024 Much has been written about states, cities, organizations, and other plaintiffs commencing litigation alleging that energy companies have misled the public about the damage that fossil fuels contribute to climate change. The lawsuits claim billions of dollars in damage from destructive weather allegedly attributable to climate change. Most cases have either been filed or returned to states for consideration. To date, SCOTUS has declined to address the issues raised by the litigation.
Corporate Transparency Act 2021 By Matthew L. McArthy March 2024 Effective January 1, all non-exempt entities are required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report with the U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
From the Editor By James Nyeste October 2024 An introduction to the issue from the editor.
IDNR/OOGRM Announces Well Plugging Program By Craig R. Hedin October 2024 The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Oil and Gas Resource Management, has announced well plugging assistance through a Methane Emissions Reduction Program.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources/Oil and Gas Resource Management Issues By Craig R. Hedin March 2024 Updates about the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Oil and Gas Resource Management.
The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board: 2023 Oil Production By Craig R. Hedin March 2024 The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board monitors oil production in the state of Illinois.  The IPRB has recently issued a report for the 2023 production on a monthly and daily basis and the barrels produced by each county. The following sets forth the data with respect to production.
Illinois Supreme Court Addresses Liability Based on Environmental Statutes and Regulations By Craig R. Hedin June 2024 The Illinois Supreme Court recently issued an opinion on whether there can be liability based upon a violation of the Illinois environmental statutes and regulations governing underground storage tanks in Laura E. Rice, et al. v. Marathon Petroleum Corp., et al.
Legislation Affecting Minerals By Craig R. Hedin March 2024 Summaries of legislation of interest to mineral law practitioners.
Mineral Tenancy in Common Litigation By Craig R. Hedin March 2024 The appellate court recently held that a mineral tenant in common does not have a legal right to take oil and gas from a common property without the permission of the co-tenants who may file a civil action to seek damages to redress the injuries to their respective interests.
New Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act & CCS Project Update By Laura Harmon December 2024 On July 18, 2024, Governor Pritzker signed SB1289 creating the Safety and Aid for the Environment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration, which addresses environmental and safety regulations, prohibition of the injection of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, ownership of pore space, integration and unitization of pore space for CO2 sequestration before the IDNR. 
Office of Oil and Gas Resource Management Report of February 2024 March 2024 A summary of the February Office of Oil & Gas Resource Management report.
Oil and Gas Advisory Board By Craig R. Hedin December 2024 A summary of the Oil and Gas Advisory Board's quarterly meeting on November 7, 2024.
Oil and Gas Advisory Board By Craig R. Hedin October 2024 The Oil and Gas Advisory Board had its quarterly meeting on August 8, 2024.
Oil and Gas Advisory Board By Craig R. Hedin June 2024 A summary of the discussion at the May 2024 Oil and Gas Advisory Board meeting.
Update on Spacing Law Changes for Existing Production Wells By Matthew L. McArthy March 2024 A summary of proposed amendments to the spacing laws for existing production wells.
USEPA Finalizes New Methane Regulations By Craig R. Hedin June 2024 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published its methane regulations in the Federal Register on March 8.
USEPA Finalizes Rule to Collect Waste Emissions Charge By Craig R. Hedin December 2024 On November 12, 2024, the USEPA announced the final rule with respect to collecting a WEC to better ensure that methane gas reaches the market rather than polluting the air. The final rule implements the directive of Congress and incentivizes operators to take action to conserve energy resources for consumers and to reduce methane emissions.
USEPA Methane Regulations By Craig R. Hedin March 2024 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized new rules expanding methane emissions regulations for the oil and natural gas industry.