Executive Summary

This 2013 Survey on Oil & Gas provides an annual summary, bringing together the judicial, regulatory, and legislative activities of thirtyfour states. In addition to the typical court cases addressing lessee and lessor disputes, two apparent overarching themes have emerged this year. First is a heightened regulation of, and litigation regarding, hydraulic fracturing and its potential negative environmental impacts. At the forefront of these potentially negative environmental impacts are concerns for water quality and quantity, earthquakes, and increased air pollution emissions.

Second, several states are reporting litigation over leases issued by the Bureau of Land Management, mostly claiming a failure to prepare (or a deficiency in preparing) environmental impact assessments.