Champlin Exploration, Inc. v. Western Bridge & Steel Co.

DOOLIN, Justice:

We are called upon to decide, in this case, if a refiner loses title to refined hydrocarbons when they escape from him into the ground. To put it another way; are refined hydrocarbons subject to the law of capture when they escape into the ground?

We hold that an owner of refined hydrocarbons does not, ipso facto, lose title to escaped hydrocarbons unless it is shown by competent evidence that he has abandoned same.

Champlin Exploration, Inc. 1 (unit operator) under a valid corporation commission order and operating agreement, brought suit against Champlin Petroleum Company…