WHEELING -- The family of an Ohio County man is suing several energy companies, alleging the companies drilled on his land without legal consent.
The family and estate of Arthur Stricklin, led by administrator Vaughn D. Stricklin, filed a lawsuit June 17 in Ohio Circuit Court against Talisman Energy USA, Inc. (formerly known as Fortuna Energy), Range-Resources Appalachia, Chesapeake Appalachia, Statoil USA Onshore Properties Inc., Jamestown Resources, SWN Production Co., and SWC Exchange and Titleholder, alleging violations of lease terms.
According to the suit, the plaintiffs entered into an oil and gas lease with Fortuna Energy in December 2005 but in 2007, the plaintiffs received notice that Fortuna reassigned their lease to Range Resources-Appalachia. The leases changed hands again though deals in 2010, 2011 and 2014—none of which were agreed upon by the plaintiffs, the suit says.
The plaintiffs seek punitive and compensatory damages, as well as legal fees. They are represented by attorneys Frank Duff and Melvin Kahle of Schrader Byrd & Companion in Wheeling. Circuit Judge David Sims has been assigned to the case.
Ohio Circuit Court civil action number 15-c-185.