Chapman v. Millemon

In this appeal we consider a dispute between co-owners of the working interest of two oil and gas leases located in Lawrence County. One of the leases, the Gillespie, has 12 producing wells, and the other lease, the Benefiel, has two producing wells, or, with more precision, two sometimes producing wells. Apparently none of the wells are large producers and can be termed “strippers.” The issues of the case can best be stated by a recital of the facts.

Plaintiff has been involved in several phases of the oil production business for approximately 40 years. Plaintiff personally supervised the…