Terra Energy, Ltd. v. State

In this interpleader action, defendants-appellants, the state of Michigan and the Department of Natural Resources (hereinafter collectively the state), appeal as of right from the trial court’s final orders quieting title to certain oil, gas, and mineral leases and ordering the state to pay a portion of plaintiffs’ attorney fees. The state contends that the *396trial court erred in awarding attorney fees to plaintiffs. We disagree.

Plaintiffs Terra Energy, Ltd., and J5, Inc., are producers of natural gas and oil. Terra and J5 acquired, by lease or assignment of existing leases, the right to…