High Court Rules on Oil, Gas Royalties (against Big Oil 7-0)

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-scotus/2006/dec/11/121101377.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court ruled against the oil and gas industry Monday in a dispute over how many years into the past the government can reach to collect money for leases on federal land.

In a 7-0 decision, the court refused to limit the number of years the government can reach back to collect unpaid royalties. The ruling applies to administrative proceedings the Interior Department brought against two companies.

At issue is whether a federal law imposing a six-year time limit for the government to file lawsuits based on federal contracts also applies to administrative orders.

Ten years ago, the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service ordered BP America Production Co. and ARCO to pay $4.1 million and $780,000 respectively to cover royalty deficiencies on coalbed methane. The companies pumped the natural gas from wells in the San Juan Basin, which is in northwest New Mexico and southwest Colorado.

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[no_hypocrisy]

1. Let me guess who recused from this case:

Scalia and Thomas?

[hvn_nbr_2]

3. The story doesn't say who didn't participate but...

it seems to suggest that Roberts didn't because he was involved in the case at a lower level. No mention of who else (unless my quick skim missed it).

[denverbill]

2. What a joke. The asses make BILLIONS every year.

Their top execs should be jailed until these taxes are paid. They got by for nearly 20 years without paying what they owed.