oil and gas

Complaint in Pawnee Nation lawsuit for Earthquake Damage caused by Wastewater Injection

Wenona T. Singel1 Comment

Here is the complaint filed in the Pawnee Nation Tribal Court in Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma v. Eagle Road Oil LLC, et al.

On Friday, March 3, the Pawnee Nation sued 27 companies that operate wastewater disposal wells used in fracking operations in and near Pawnee, Oklahoma.  The complaint alleges that the actions of the defendants have contributed to earthquakes and resulting damage to the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, and it includes claims based on strict liability, negligence, private nuisance, and trespass. The Tribe seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Pawnee Nation sues several oil and gas companies in Tribal Court for quake damage

Wenona T. Singel

We noted last November that the Pawnee Nation sued the Dept. of Interior in federal district court to challenge the approval of federal oil and gas leases on tribal lands here.

Today, several news agencies here, here, and here report that the Pawnee Nation has sued 27 oil and gas companies in the Pawnee Nation Tribal Court for damage caused by earthquakes.  Earthquakes have been associated with wastewater injection practices used in conjunction with hydraulic fracking.  Last September, the Pawnee Nation suffered damage to historic buildings due to a 5.6 magnitude earthquake.

We’ll post a copy of the complaint as soon as it becomes available.

 

BIA Oil & Gas Regs for Osage County Put on Hold

Ann Tweedy

A federal judge put the regulations on hold in response to a suit filed by the Osage Producers Association and a similar suit filed by Osage Minerals Council, a tribal entity. A news article is here, and Fredericks Peebles & Morgan’s press release is here: 08 12 15 Press Release