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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Two individuals sue Chesapeake Appalachia for conversion, trespassing

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NEW MARTINSVILLE – Two individuals are suing Chesapeake Appalachia LLC after they claim it intentionally interfered with their property and trespassed.

C. Michael Blair, Linda Blair and Southwestern Energy Company were also named as defendants in the suit.

In 1980, Urban Klug conveyed 90 acres to Ronald Lee Kupfer and Beth S. Kupfer and in 1981, they conveyed 30 of the 90 acres the Kenneth R. Darr and Cheryl E. Darr, according to a complaint filed in Marshall Circuit Court.

The Kupfers claim in 1990, they conveyed the remaining 60 acres to C. Michael Blair and, on April 3, 2009, C. Michael Blair and Linda Blair purported to be lessors, entered into a lease modification with Chesapeake for the lease of the oil and gas underlying the 60 acres.

The plaintiffs were the rightful owners of the oil and gas underlying the 60 acres to which the Blair defendants purport and claim to own and Chesapeake leased to explore and produce, according to the suit.

The Kupfers claim the Blairs intentionally interfered with their property by exercising dominion and control over the same when the Blairs wrongfully executed the lease and the intentional interference has deprived the Kupfers the right to the oil and gas, their rights and/or their proceeds.

The Kupfers are seeking an injunction enjoining the defendants from activity on the property until the matter is resolved; and for the defendants to pay damages equal to the full value of any and all gas, oil and/or their constituents that may have been. They are being represented by Teresa C. Toriseva and Joshua D. Miller of Toriseva Law.

Marshall Circuit Court case number: 16-C-142

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