Selected Re-Emerging and Emerging Trends in Oil and Gas Law as a Result of Production From Shale Formations

Taking the statements in the above paragraph as true, there is also another consequence to these developments. There has been a proliferation of oil and gas leasing and drilling in areas that have little prior experience, or little recent experience, with such activities. This has caused a resurgence of oil and gas law and raised issues that have been either dormant or nonexistent. This Article will address some of the re-emerging and emerging oil and gas litigation issues that are the byproduct of shale development activities. Specifically, this Article will discuss: 1. Production in paying quantities and shut-in royalties; 2. Oil and gas lease drafting, and in particular, the use of termination clauses; 3. The impact of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act on oil and gas law; and 4. Allegations of groundwater contamination caused by hydraulic fracture stimulation