Clyde A. Hupp, et al. v. Beck Energy Corporation and XTO Energy, Inc., Case No. 2014-1933

State of Ohio ex rel. Claugus Family Farm, L.P. v. Seventh District Court of Appeals, et al., Case No. 2014-0423

Seventh District Court of Appeals (Monroe County)

ISSUES:

-Are leases Monroe County landowners and others signed with Beck Energy void because they are worded to allow Beck to perpetually control the mineral rights while not attempting to drill for oil or gas?

-Do the Beck leases properly contain a primary and secondary clause that requires it drill for oil and gas in the first 10 years of the lease and that it can only control the land as long as they are actively producing?

-Do an estimated 700 Ohio landowners with Beck leases who were made part of a class-action suit against Beck without notice have the right to end their leases and renegotiate new ones if they choose?

-Was an appeals court authorized to place an order freezing all 700 contested leases, and allowing the clock to start running again on them only after the litigation is resolved?