The disruption caused by a search for oil

[Ptah]

The note arrived unexpectedly. The Graham family is negotiating to lease rights to drill for oil under my ranch.

Again.

My hands shook. My heart sank. The Grahams gave us a good deal on this ranch, including all of the subsurface rights except oil and gas. I like the entire family. They have no incentive to sell those mineral rights. Unlike a gold claim, mineral rights cost nothing to retain and they might generate income. Leasing mineral rights makes perfect economic sense.

But the last time oil explorers came to the ranch ranks among the Top 10 most traumatic events of my life. I learned firsthand about the worst of human nature — deceit, greed, utter disregard for the land, slovenliness, pride and power-mongering. My chest tightens at the memory of awakening to dishes rattling and spotlights lighting up my entire house. The exploration crew was shaking a 5.9 earthquake next to my house at 11 p.m., while my children slept.

https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2023/02/17/prairie-ponderings-the-disruption-caused-by-a-search-for-oil/69916638007/

[jalan48]

1. My grandfather worked in the Anaconda mines in Butte in the early 1900's. I heard

stories about the greed of the owners and the destruction of the natural landscape. "Cut and run" was the term used to describe Anaconda Copper-extract the resource and then run, leaving the citizens to clean up the mess. I grew up pissed off at Anaconda and I'm still angry at the way they treated the miners and the landscape.

[2naSalit]

2. And the magats in charge...

Are pushing for more of this.

[rsdsharp]

3. One of the very first cases I read in contracts class was

Peevyhouse v Garland Coal & Mining Co. It’s a 1962 case out of Oklahoma. The Peevyhouses leased the coal mining rights on their farm to Garland Coal with the understanding that Garland would put the farm back the way it was before the mining. They didn’t, and the Peevyhouses sued for damages.

Experts testified that it would cost $29,000 for the remedial work, more than the value of the farm if the mining had never been done. The jury awarded $5000 — the difference between the value of the farm before the mining, and what it was worth afterwards.

I have no idea where he came up with this, but my law professor said “old lady Peevyhouse” (his words, not mine) would not have signed the lease if she thought she wouldn’t be able to sit on her front porch and look at her jonquils after Garland left.